Dream 11 as IPL 2020 title sponsor, Unacademy as official partner for 3 years [Update Post#250]

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

When has BCCI refused to play against Pakistan when the GoI allowed it to? I am starting to lose count of your clueless posts

Clueless? Not my fault if you can't see the hypocrisy here. Once again hiding behind GOI permission? GOI has banned some Chinese apps. Message is crystal clear now. Let's see if BCCI cancels the deal with Vivo or not.

 

[Moh@n]

Clueless? Not my fault if you can't see the hypocrisy here. Once again hiding behind GOI permission? GOI has banned some Chinese apps. Message is crystal clear now. Let's see if BCCI cancels the deal with Vivo or not.

Hiding?

It's GoI that takes a call on when we should or should not play against Pakistan. BCCI complies accordingly.

Stop being ridiculous.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Hiding?

It's GoI that takes a call on when we should or should not play against Pakistan. BCCI complies accordingly.

Stop being ridiculous.

Are you trying to say it's GOI who is a hypocrite here not BCCI?

Why is BCCI acting like GOI and asking PCB to give a guarantee of no terror attacks then? Why didn't they tell PCB that it's GOI who is going to issue Visas not BCCI? Hopefully you will use your brain this time before replying.

 

[Rana]

Are you trying to say it's GOI who is a hypocrite here not BCCI?

Why is BCCI acting like GOI and asking PCB to give a guarantee of no terror attacks then? Why didn't they tell PCB that it's GOI who is going to issue Visas not BCCI? Hopefully you will use your brain this time before replying.

Check mate

 

[Abdullah719]

IPL should sever ties with Chinese sponsors, if not this season, then by 2021: Ness Wadia

Bilateral relationship between India and China remain strained after clashes in Ladakh’s Galwan valley led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers. With the border stand-off continuing, there has been a call for boycotting Chinese companies involved at various levels in India.

While the Indian government banned 59 Chinese apps on Tuesday, there has been a growing call for Indian cricket to end its relationship with Chinese sponsors. Kings XI Punjab’s co-owner Ness Wadia has called for a gradual end to Chinese sponsorship in the Indian Premier League amid escalating tensions between the two countries owing to the violent clash in eastern Ladakh earlier this month.

“We should do it (sever ties with Chinese sponsors in IPL) for the sake of the nation. Country comes first, money is secondary. And it is the Indian Premier League, not the Chinese Premier League. It should lead by example and show the way,” Wadia told PTI on Tuesday.

“Yes it would be difficult to find sponsors initially but I am sure there are enough Indian sponsors who can replace them. We must have all the respect for the nation and our government and most importantly for the soldiers who risk their lives for us,” said the known Indian businessman.

The Chinese soldiers used stones, nail-studded sticks, iron rods and clubs to carry out a brutal attack on Indian soldiers after they protested the erection of a surveillance post by China on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control in Galwan.

The incident was the biggest confrontation between the two militaries after their 1967 clashes in Nathu La when India lost around 80 soldiers while the death toll on the Chinese side stood well over 300.

Chinese mobile phone maker Vivo is the IPL title sponsor and it pays the BCCI Rs 440 crore annually for the five-year deal ending in 2022.

Other companies involved in the IPL -- Paytm, Swiggy, Dream 11 -- have Chinese investments. Not just the IPL, the teams too attract Chinese sponsorship.

While Wadia made his stance clear, other teams, including Chennai Super Kings, said they will be happy to go with whatever the government decides.

“It will be tough to replace them initially but if it has to be done for the sake of the nation, we should do it,” a CSK source told PTI.

Another team owner said: “Let the government decide first, whatever they decide, we will follow”.

However, Wadia said it is not right to await government’s directive on the controversial subject as “it is our moral responsibility to stand with the nation at this hour”.

“If I was the BCCI president, I would say find me an Indian sponsor for the upcoming season.

“Indian companies need to step up and see the same benefits and opportunities that Chinese companies have seen in the IPL, which is the best T20 league in the world.”

Asked about the Chinese sponsorship in IPL teams, Wadia said: “The teams too should be given time to replace their Chinese sponsors. As I said, there are enough Indian companies which can replace them.”

Wadia also welcomed the Indian government’s decision to ban Chinese apps citing national security.

“If India plays its card right, it can really be the superpower it desires to be,” he observed.

“Personally I don’t like to buy Chinese products because they are sub-standard. The focus has to be on making Indian and buying Indian. China produces such large volumes and suffocates the world, it has to stop. We should put all our efforts on making India a manufacturing hub.

“I travel around the country a lot. If we don’t stop the influx of cheap Chinese goods and are not firm in what we are doing, Indian manufacturing will die,” cautioned Wadia.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...-ness-wadia/story-8K8jPZR4ik2NPRq39855SP.html

 

[par]

Are you trying to say it's GOI who is a hypocrite here not BCCI?

Why is BCCI acting like GOI and asking PCB to give a guarantee of no terror attacks then? Why didn't they tell PCB that it's GOI who is going to issue Visas not BCCI? Hopefully you will use your brain this time before replying.

It is not BCCI who is asking for the guarantee. It is a nameless official. There is a big difference.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

IPL should sever ties with Chinese sponsors, if not this season, then by 2021: Ness Wadia

Bilateral relationship between India and China remain strained after clashes in Ladakh’s Galwan valley led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers. With the border stand-off continuing, there has been a call for boycotting Chinese companies involved at various levels in India.

While the Indian government banned 59 Chinese apps on Tuesday, there has been a growing call for Indian cricket to end its relationship with Chinese sponsors. Kings XI Punjab’s co-owner Ness Wadia has called for a gradual end to Chinese sponsorship in the Indian Premier League amid escalating tensions between the two countries owing to the violent clash in eastern Ladakh earlier this month.

“We should do it (sever ties with Chinese sponsors in IPL) for the sake of the nation. Country comes first, money is secondary. And it is the Indian Premier League, not the Chinese Premier League. It should lead by example and show the way,” Wadia told PTI on Tuesday.

“Yes it would be difficult to find sponsors initially but I am sure there are enough Indian sponsors who can replace them. We must have all the respect for the nation and our government and most importantly for the soldiers who risk their lives for us,” said the known Indian businessman.

The Chinese soldiers used stones, nail-studded sticks, iron rods and clubs to carry out a brutal attack on Indian soldiers after they protested the erection of a surveillance post by China on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control in Galwan.

The incident was the biggest confrontation between the two militaries after their 1967 clashes in Nathu La when India lost around 80 soldiers while the death toll on the Chinese side stood well over 300.

Chinese mobile phone maker Vivo is the IPL title sponsor and it pays the BCCI Rs 440 crore annually for the five-year deal ending in 2022.

Other companies involved in the IPL -- Paytm, Swiggy, Dream 11 -- have Chinese investments. Not just the IPL, the teams too attract Chinese sponsorship.

While Wadia made his stance clear, other teams, including Chennai Super Kings, said they will be happy to go with whatever the government decides.

“It will be tough to replace them initially but if it has to be done for the sake of the nation, we should do it,” a CSK source told PTI.

Another team owner said: “Let the government decide first, whatever they decide, we will follow”.

However, Wadia said it is not right to await government’s directive on the controversial subject as “it is our moral responsibility to stand with the nation at this hour”.

“If I was the BCCI president, I would say find me an Indian sponsor for the upcoming season.

“Indian companies need to step up and see the same benefits and opportunities that Chinese companies have seen in the IPL, which is the best T20 league in the world.”

Asked about the Chinese sponsorship in IPL teams, Wadia said: “The teams too should be given time to replace their Chinese sponsors. As I said, there are enough Indian companies which can replace them.”

Wadia also welcomed the Indian government’s decision to ban Chinese apps citing national security.

“If India plays its card right, it can really be the superpower it desires to be,” he observed.

“Personally I don’t like to buy Chinese products because they are sub-standard. The focus has to be on making Indian and buying Indian. China produces such large volumes and suffocates the world, it has to stop. We should put all our efforts on making India a manufacturing hub.

“I travel around the country a lot. If we don’t stop the influx of cheap Chinese goods and are not firm in what we are doing, Indian manufacturing will die,” cautioned Wadia.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...-ness-wadia/story-8K8jPZR4ik2NPRq39855SP.html

Why wait till 2021? Is that because by then this issue will slowly die down? Ban them now. As they say in hindi/urdu 'loha garam hai, hathoda maar do'.

 

[MenInG]

The BCCI is unlikely to sever ties with IPL title sponsors VIVO if the “exit clause” favours the Chinese mobile phone company, a senior BCCI official said on Wednesday but did not reveal when the event’s much-hyped governing council meeting to review this will be held.

After the violent June 15 clash in eastern Ladakh, the central government has banned 59 apps from China including the controversial Tik ToK. Soon after the June 15 incident, the BCCI had stated that there would be a review of the IPL sponsors.

“We still don’t know about fate of T20 World Cup, Asia Cup, so how can we just have a meeting? Yes, we need to discuss sponsorship but we never used the word cancel or terminate,” a senior BCCI official, who also sits in IPL GC meetings, told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

“We said we will review sponsorship. Review means that we need to check all the modalities of the contract. If the ‘Exit Clause’ favours VIVO more, why should we terminate a Rs 440 crore per year contract. We will only terminate if ‘Exit Clause’ favours us,” he added.

It is learnt, some BCCI are officials are of the view that unless VIVO backs out on its own in prevailing circumstances, the board should honour the remainder of the contract, which ends in 2022.

Sudden termination of contract could mean that BCCI may have to cough up substantial compensation.

Also, there is no guarantee that BCCI will get a short-time matcher in such an economically hostile environment.

However, the likes of PayTM (with Alibaba as investor) or Dream XI, BYJUs and SWIGGY, who have investment from Chinese video game company Tencent, might not have to worry as they are Indian entities.

“Taking note of the border skirmish that resulted in the martyrdom of our brave jawans, the IPL Governing Council has convened a meeting next week to review IPL’s various sponsorship deals,” the official IPL twitter handle had stated on Friday, June 19.

However, after nearly two weeks, a meeting has not been scheduled and more importantly, at least two GC members confirmed to PTI that they have not been told anything.

“I have called the IPL chairman (Brijesh Patel) and CEO (Rahul Johri) after I saw the tweet. But till date, I haven’t been intimated about any meeting. Possibly, they want to have a big meeting once the T20 World Cup is officially postponed,” one of the veteran GC members said.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...avours-vivo/story-j8chObdpMXzHJ1kSQqO71H.html

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

The BCCI is unlikely to sever ties with IPL title sponsors VIVO if the “exit clause” favours the Chinese mobile phone company, a senior BCCI official said on Wednesday but did not reveal when the event’s much-hyped governing council meeting to review this will be held.

After the violent June 15 clash in eastern Ladakh, the central government has banned 59 apps from China including the controversial Tik ToK. Soon after the June 15 incident, the BCCI had stated that there would be a review of the IPL sponsors.

“We still don’t know about fate of T20 World Cup, Asia Cup, so how can we just have a meeting? Yes, we need to discuss sponsorship but we never used the word cancel or terminate,” a senior BCCI official, who also sits in IPL GC meetings, told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

“We said we will review sponsorship. Review means that we need to check all the modalities of the contract. If the ‘Exit Clause’ favours VIVO more, why should we terminate a Rs 440 crore per year contract. We will only terminate if ‘Exit Clause’ favours us,” he added.

It is learnt, some BCCI are officials are of the view that unless VIVO backs out on its own in prevailing circumstances, the board should honour the remainder of the contract, which ends in 2022.

Sudden termination of contract could mean that BCCI may have to cough up substantial compensation.

Also, there is no guarantee that BCCI will get a short-time matcher in such an economically hostile environment.

However, the likes of PayTM (with Alibaba as investor) or Dream XI, BYJUs and SWIGGY, who have investment from Chinese video game company Tencent, might not have to worry as they are Indian entities.

“Taking note of the border skirmish that resulted in the martyrdom of our brave jawans, the IPL Governing Council has convened a meeting next week to review IPL’s various sponsorship deals,” the official IPL twitter handle had stated on Friday, June 19.

However, after nearly two weeks, a meeting has not been scheduled and more importantly, at least two GC members confirmed to PTI that they have not been told anything.

“I have called the IPL chairman (Brijesh Patel) and CEO (Rahul Johri) after I saw the tweet. But till date, I haven’t been intimated about any meeting. Possibly, they want to have a big meeting once the T20 World Cup is officially postponed,” one of the veteran GC members said.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...avours-vivo/story-j8chObdpMXzHJ1kSQqO71H.html

I am not surprised to see BCCI giving preference to money over country.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">IPL Governing Council decides to retain all sponsors of the event, including Chinese companies</p>— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1289944479110017024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Slog]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">IPL Governing Council decides to retain all sponsors of the event, including Chinese companies</p>— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1289944479110017024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

yeh tu LOL hogaya

 

[MenInG]

As they say, "hawa nikal gayee"

===


The Indian Premier League’s Governing Council on Sunday decided to retain all its sponsors, including Chinese mobile company VIVO, and approved COVID-19 replacements in the event to be held in UAE this year.

The tournament will be played from September 19 to November 10, the IPL GC decided after a virtual meeting on Sunday.


The matches will be played in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, subject to necessary clearances from the Government of India. The 53-day tournament will have 10 afternoon matches, starting at 15:30 IST and the evening matches will start at 19:30 IST.

“All I can say is that all our sponsors are with us. Hopefully you can read between the lines,” an IPL GC member told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Chinese sponsorship became a bone of contention after the clashes between the Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh in June. The BCCI had promised to review the deals in the aftermath of the violent showdown.

In another major decision, the IPL GC also approved the women’s IPL, a development that was first reported by PTI after speaking to BCCI president Sourav Ganguly on Sunday.

Forced out of India due to the rising COVID-19 case count here, the IPL will allow unlimited COVID-19 replacements considering the delicate health safety situation across the globe.

“We expect the the Home and External Affairs Ministry to give us necessary approvals within another week. The final will be played on November 10 as it enters the Diwali week making it lucrative for the broadcasters,” the IPL GC member said.

https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/ipl/ipl-2020-uae-dates-rules-6536095/

 

[MenInG]

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited bids for the team kit sponsor and official merchandising partner rights through a tender process to replace outgoing sponsor Nike.

Under the Invitation to Tender (ITT), the winning bidder will be granted the right to be the kit sponsor and official merchandising partner and various other associated rights (as defined in the ITT).

Nike, Team India's shirt sponsor since 2005, will not renew its contract, which comes to an end in September this year.

The sports apparel giant had a four-year deal with the BCCI for Rs. 370 crore with a royalty of 30 crore.

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...r-kit-sponsor-nike-tender/article32257916.ece

 

[MenInG]

The Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has demanded that BCCI must reconsider the decision to allow Chinese phone makers Vivo to sponsor IPL given the strain in India-China ties following the standoff at the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. Vivo, the title sponsors of IPL, signed a five-year deal with BCCI worth - 2199 crore in 2017.

SJM, which was at the forefront of the campaign to boycott Chinese goods, has said if the decision is not reversed, Indians should consider boycotting IPL.

National co-convenor of SJM, Ashwani Mahajan said BCCI’s decision is in contravention to the “current mood of the nation”. “The call for boycott of Chinese goods is no longer just a demand from SJM; it is a call that is being supported by citizens in the wake of what transpired between India and China,” Mahajan said.

He said BCCI should be sensitive towards the nation and its security. “Whole world is boycotting China, IPL is sheltering them. They should understand that nothing is above nation.”

The Opposition too has criticised BCCI’s decision. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted, “Wither #AatmaNirbharBharatAbhiyan . Welcome back Cricket-China-profiteering and double standards. #BJPExposed”

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...rship-deals/story-CLVUjpLiV8y66r6vQeBfYJ.html

 

[cricketjoshila]

As they say, "hawa nikal gayee"

===


The Indian Premier League’s Governing Council on Sunday decided to retain all its sponsors, including Chinese mobile company VIVO, and approved COVID-19 replacements in the event to be held in UAE this year.

The tournament will be played from September 19 to November 10, the IPL GC decided after a virtual meeting on Sunday.


The matches will be played in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, subject to necessary clearances from the Government of India. The 53-day tournament will have 10 afternoon matches, starting at 15:30 IST and the evening matches will start at 19:30 IST.

“All I can say is that all our sponsors are with us. Hopefully you can read between the lines,” an IPL GC member told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Chinese sponsorship became a bone of contention after the clashes between the Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh in June. The BCCI had promised to review the deals in the aftermath of the violent showdown.

In another major decision, the IPL GC also approved the women’s IPL, a development that was first reported by PTI after speaking to BCCI president Sourav Ganguly on Sunday.

Forced out of India due to the rising COVID-19 case count here, the IPL will allow unlimited COVID-19 replacements considering the delicate health safety situation across the globe.

“We expect the the Home and External Affairs Ministry to give us necessary approvals within another week. The final will be played on November 10 as it enters the Diwali week making it lucrative for the broadcasters,” the IPL GC member said.

https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/ipl/ipl-2020-uae-dates-rules-6536095/

Vivo not to be the sponsor for IPL 2020. May be back next year. Bcci to announce new sponsor soon.

Btw Bcci hasn't made any official announcement yet. So lets wait ki hawa nikli hai ya hawa badli hai.

 

[Abdullah719]

Exclusive: Panic grips BCCI as Vivo likely to make IPL exit; franchises sweat

MUMBAI: A leading Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, already fighting tooth and nail to claim compensation from BCCI over having to lose out on gate money in UAE this season, called up the other seven franchises on Monday evening to inform them that the league’s title sponsors - Vivo India - are on the verge of exiting, at least for this year.

Vivo India, the local arm of the Chinese mobile manufacturing giant, has been in the middle of a social-media storm in the last 48 hours after the IPL Governing Council, on Sunday, said that it would be retaining all its sponsors for the 2020 edition of the tournament. The BCCI and the IPL Governing Council have faced criticism for deciding to not cut ties with the Chinese company.

On Monday, the said franchise took it upon itself to inform the others of Vivo’s impending exit given the hostility towards Chinese brands that has been around post the border skirmish between the two countries some time ago. The Indian government has banned a specific number of Chinese apps already and there has been a lot of talk recently on cutting all trade ties with the neighbour.

While the BCCI says it takes the general sentiment of the Indian cricket fans in absolute seriousness and is in the middle of a series of meetings with the central government to convey / receive the final word on Vivo’s presence, the Board is “miffed” that one franchise took it upon itself to let the others know of the development without waiting to hear from the IPL governing council first.

“Was it not the franchise’s duty to consult with BCCI first?” ask those in the know.

While it’s a matter that BCCI is going to pay serious attention to in the near future, the immediate focus of the cricket board is to find a suitable replacement for Vivo, who are the title sponsors of the IPL, should the exit be confirmed.

A formal decision is likely in the next 24 hours and franchises are already worried about compensation.

Well-placed sources confirmed to TOI on Tuesday morning that “Vivo is going to have to exit the league this year and that looks certain now. How that happens is going to depend on how BCCI and Vivo negotiate the matter. The company (Vivo) has had its own share of issues and the BCCI has optics to deal with, given the political climate. They have to come to some understanding here because legal options can’t be considered in this case”.

Vivo India had bagged the IPL title sponsorship rights in 2017 for Rs 2199 crore, committing to pay the league approximately Rs 440 crore every season, for a five-year deal. The mobile-manufacturer had earlier replaced soft-drink giants PepsiCo to enter the title sponsorship space after the latter walked out of a Rs 396-crore deal in 2016, allowing the IPL to earn an approximate 450% premium.

The contractual obligation between Vivo India and the IPL is an ‘iron-clad’ one and unless the former agrees to walk out of this through negotiations, the BCCI will continue to have a proverbial headache to deal with. TOI also understands that, at the moment, Vivo India too would like to walk away from the contract, by way of negotiations, given the negativity towards the brand that has enveloped the market.

BCCI’s bigger headache, if Vivo exits, will be to find a suitable replacement, especially in this market ruined by Covid and at such short notice.

“Even if the Board can get a replacement at 50% of the value, it’ll be an achievement. Anything more than that will actually be a shot in the arm. Let’s hope things settle amicably. The IPL has been planned and everything’s set,” industry stakeholders opined.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...xit-franchises-sweat/articleshow/77348723.cms

 

[King_Kohli]

VIVO had signed a five-year deal in 2017 worth over INR 2,000 Cr, decided to skip this year’s edition owing to rising negative sentiments towards Chinese brands and products after India-China border clashes in Galwan Valley.

VIVO has 3 years left in their contract which they will honor in 2021, 2022, and 2023 instead. Chinese mobile phone maker VIVO is IPL's title sponsor and it pays the BCCI Rs 440 crore annually for the 5-year deal ending in 2022.

 

[Forum363]

Vivo need to step back and make a clear business decision.

Brands pay millions / billions to sponsor events with the hope that it increases their brand recognition and subsequent sales. If Vivo is facing a hostile environment in India with likely boycott of their brand anyway, why should they pay so much money to be in front of the people who are adamantly not going to purchase their products. Even worse than that - people will be frustrated that a Chinese company is the main sponsor of IPL and may further blame the company if it continues to be associated.

On the counter side - this episode has been reported on a lot and ultimately even in departing, Vivo could generate a lot of publicity for the brand.

 

[Savak]

Indians had no issues when there Indian companies did the same with the PSL during the middle of the tournament, so I find it hilarious to see them now talk about business contracts, ethics and morality

 

[Bewal Express]

So if i understand correctly the Indian fans are against the Chinese companies because of the Ladakh humiliation but the BCCI have no problem with that and still want the contract to continue because $ trumps any national pride. What a shambles!

 

[Mesozoic]

So if i understand correctly the Indian fans are against the Chinese companies because of the Ladakh humiliation but the BCCI have no problem with that and still want the contract to continue because $ trumps any national pride. What a shambles!

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...h-deal-in-the-offing/articleshow/77348723.cms

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

So if i understand correctly the Indian fans are against the Chinese companies because of the Ladakh humiliation but the BCCI have no problem with that and still want the contract to continue because $ trumps any national pride. What a shambles!

BCCI alongwith some of their chamchas here are all hypocrites. As I said earlier, it reminds me of BCCI playing against Pakistan in ICC tournaments but saying no to them in bilaterals. It doesn't make any sense for a normal human being but it surely does for arrogant fans.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Indians had no issues when there Indian companies did the same with the PSL during the middle of the tournament, so I find it hilarious to see them now talk about business contracts, ethics and morality

There you go. Another example of our hypocrisy. I am pretty sure no joshila fan will respond to you now.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

VIVO had signed a five-year deal in 2017 worth over INR 2,000 Cr, decided to skip this year’s edition owing to rising negative sentiments towards Chinese brands and products after India-China border clashes in Galwan Valley.

VIVO has 3 years left in their contract which they will honor in 2021, 2022, and 2023 instead. Chinese mobile phone maker VIVO is IPL's title sponsor and it pays the BCCI Rs 440 crore annually for the 5-year deal ending in 2022.

If thats true then it seems Vivo has more self respect than BCCI and some fans have here. We are becoming masters of boycotting stuff, protesting and threatening only when it suits us.

 

[MP2011]

So it's Vivo which dumped BCCI and not vice versa.

Poor management from BCCI all around.

 

[MP2011]

If thats true then it seems Vivo has more self respect than BCCI and some fans have here. We are becoming masters of boycotting stuff, protesting and threatening only when it suits us.

It's futile to reason with bhakts.

 

[Firebat]

IPL 2020: Top BCCI official denies knowledge of VIVO’s pullout

Dubai: A top official of the Indian cricket board denied any knowledge of VIVO, the Chinese mobile phone manufacturers, pulling out as title-sponsors of Indian Premier League (IPL) even as media reports sent the IPL franchises on a panic mode on Tuesday.

Unconfirmed reports said VIVO has pulled out as the title sponsors for this year’s edition ‘‘following backlash on social media.’’

‘‘I am not exactly aware of the development as there had been a bereavement in my family. You can check about it with Brijesh Patel (the IPL chairman) or Hemang Amin (COO of IPL),’’ Arun Dhumal, treasurer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, told Gulf News. Dhumal was absent from the crucial Governing Council meeting on Sunday following which media reports said VIVO would continue as sponsors this season.

The IPL, meanwhile, had been facing a severe flak from certain quarters ever since it decided to retain VIVO as their title-sponsors, a deal which is worth to the tune of 220 million dirhams per season and runs till 2022.

A nationalist group threatened to call a boycott of the IPL, picking up a wave of anti-Chinese sentiment after a clash on the border between the neighbours’ armies in which 20 Indian soldiers died. The IPL said after the June 15 clash that it would review its sponsorship deal, though sources in the BCCI said it would have raised legal implications to abandon the relationship midway.

After repeatedly delaying the tournament because of the coronavirus pandemic, the IPL is eventually scheduled to start in the United Arab Emirates on September 19 but sparked anger by making no mention of changing the sponsorship.

The Confederation of All India Traders, which claims 70 million small business members, said the Indian government should block the IPL tournament for showing “utter disregard” to public anger over the border deaths.

Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), the cultural arm of the influential Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) threatened a boycott of the IPL unless the Chinese sponsor was dropped.

“We want to urge the IPL organisers to reconsider their stand on sponsorship by Chinese companies,” said an SJM statement.

“Please remember the nation’s pride and security above all,” it added.

https://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/...-denies-knowledge-of-vivos-pullout-1.72976410

 

[MP2011]

Indians had no issues when there Indian companies did the same with the PSL during the middle of the tournament, so I find it hilarious to see them now talk about business contracts, ethics and morality

Don't tar all indians with same brush. Some of us are shameless hypocrites who have their saffron glasses on while discussing morals.

 

[MP2011]

So it's Vivo which dumped BCCI and not vice versa.

Poor management from BCCI all around.

When you have illiterate dynasts ruling the roost, who know nothing about cricket management, what else can one expect.

 

[Varun]

Ahahahaha!

Love it.

 

[Savak]

Hmm. So does this now mean that the BCCI will have to pay out of pocket to host the IPL without the title sponsorship money? What is the realistic amount they can expect from a last minute title sponsor in a Covid 19 world?

Will Sony still be paying them the pre Covid 19 broadcast money for the year?

 

[JaDed]

What do they mean by this season? Shouldn't BCCI just cut them completely why would they be allowed next 3 years?

 

[cricketjoshila]

What do they mean by this season? Shouldn't BCCI just cut them completely why would they be allowed next 3 years?

There is no official word from anyone

But some are saying that bcci and vivo have come to an understanding that Vivo will not sponsor this year and Bcci will not claim damages.

This will keep both out of the controversy m

 

[JaDed]

There is no official word from anyone

But some are saying that bcci and vivo have come to an understanding that Vivo will not sponsor this year and Bcci will not claim damages.

This will keep both out of the controversy m

And why should BCCI trust them for next year?

 

[cricketjoshila]

And why should BCCI trust them for next year?

Well i dont know the exact details. So lets wait for the official bcci word.

 

[Oxfordchamp]

Well i dont know the exact details. So lets wait for the official bcci word.

BCCI might compensate the franchises for the loss which is about 20 crore and not a big deal.

 

[Slog]

What do they mean by this season? Shouldn't BCCI just cut them completely why would they be allowed next 3 years?

Obv this attempted boycott of China will fizzle out eventually so they can be back by then I guess.

 

[kamz]

Its all about optics. Byju's is an Indian company with Chinese investors. Noth the ame as Chnese company

Now there will hardly any company in India with no ties to China.. Tata, Birla, Reliance, Infosys and other top Indian firms - all have business dealings with China. Its expected given how globalized business is. I have heard even Nawaz Shari's company has business dealings with JIndal group of India !!!

Point is more about public pressure. A proper Chinese company will always look worse in optics than an Indian company with business dealings with China

ps : China itself has asked is students & tourists to boycott Australia even though China - Australia has big trade tie between them. Again its all about optics. China will continue to import coal , iron ore & meat from Australia & export electronics stuff in return

so investments are optics hahaha

my dear friend
when an investment is made
either the investor owns shares in the form of equity or gives a debt

and foreign private investment of that size is usually equity and with equity comes a seat at board and so does the power of decision making

so that isnt optics my friend
it is ownership

 

[Slog]

so investments are optics hahaha

my dear friend
when an investment is made
either the investor owns shares in the form of equity or gives a debt

and foreign private investment of that size is usually equity and with equity comes a seat at board and so does the power of decision making

so that isnt optics my friend
it is ownership

It’s always funny to see the gymnastics

 

[MenInG]

Chinese smartphone maker Vivo Communication Technology Co’s Indian arm Vivo India is set to withdraw as title sponsors of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), according to people familiar with the matter at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

If it happens, the move would leave IPL poorer by Rs 440 crore, also affecting the finances of each of the teams. Vivo India paid Rs 2200 crore in 2017 for a five-year title sponsorship deal with IPL. Neither BCCI nor Vivo India want to break the contract, but given the current environment, believe that this is the best thing to do—at least for this year. BCCI will have its task cut out to find a sponsor at a time when the economy isn’t doing well, although the hunger for sporting events may increase television viewership of the popular T20 league that will be played in UAE.

The move comes after BCCI and the IPL Governing Council have both been criticised for retaining Vivo as the title sponsor at a time when anti-China sentiment is running high in India. The government has banned Chinese apps, placed stringent restrictions on Chinese investments, and is reviewing partnerships Indian educational institutions have with Chinese institutions. All of this comes in the backdrop of tensions between the two countries along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh where a scrap between the two armies resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese ones.

According to the people cited in the first instance, BCCI top brass were locked in a teleconference through the day to find an amicable settlement with Vivo.

BCCI plans to float a tender to invite a new title sponsor for just this year, for the league that begins September 19 in UAE.

“They could return next year to complete the remaining three-year deal, which would be extended by a year to 2023, if India-China relations improve,” a BCCI official said on condition of anonymity.

A Vivo spokesperson said: “We neither accept nor deny the news. We will issue a statement once there is clarity on the situation.”

On June 19, IPL’s official handle tweeted, “Taking note of the border skirmish that resulted in the martyrdom of our brave jawans, the IPL Governing Council has convened a meeting next week to review IPL’s various sponsorship deals.”

In the IPL governing council meeting which was finally held on August 2, members were told that there was no change in title sponsors. After the meeting, the IPL’s new dates and move to the UAE were announced, with Vivo’s name in the title.

The move resulted in outrage.

Behind the scenes, added the BCCI official, president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah were in talks with Vivo officials, because the Chinese company wanted to withdraw to “renegotiate the valuation.”

Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Vishwanathan said that he has been “hearing rumours” but, “as far as the financial impact of Vivo’s exit is concerned, let BCCI declare it first and then we can deliberate on it.”

An executive at another IPL franchise, who asked that neither he nor his team be named, said he is concerned about the financial fallout. “One of our demands has been to be compensated for the loss of gate receipts,” he said. “Now, if the central pool will get affected due to Vivo opting out, it will hit us hard. We hope to have a dialogue with BCCI.”

Vivo’s deal as well as that of Star’s broadcast rights contract for Indian cricket, worth Rs 3270 crore a year, meant IPL’s revenue pool went up and the franchises began making a profit upward of Rs 150 crore each season. Industry experts said while BCCI will be able to find a sponsor for IPL at such short notice, the deal may not be as lucrative. “BCCI won’t get a sponsor to cover the Rs 440 crore Vivo would have paid,” said Lloyd Mathias, marketing and business strategist and former Asia marketing head of HP. “They will have to make do with a reduced price, given the limited time and also the fact that many brands have been severely impacted by the lockdown.”

What may work in the BCCI’s favour is that the IPL will be the only Indian sporting tournament at a time when all sports is at a standstill in the country. “Viewer interest will be extremely high,” Mathias said. “In comparison to previous years TRPs may be as good if not better. This may influence potential sponsors decision to bid for IPL at this late stage.”

Harish Bijoor, brand strategist and founder of Harish Bijoor Consults said Vivo’s exit, if true, is a smart move.

“VIVO certainly realised that popular sentiment is against its sponsorship this year. Therefore it may have requested to move out this year and come back next year to complete the contract,” Bijoor said. “This is a face-saver for BCCI and the IPL. Vivo has done the correct thing at this point of time.”

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...-deals-next/story-WhvEMGcxMyquqYR0EsbmzM.html

 

[Bhaijaan]

Talk is cheap.

Indian economy will pay for the high headedness of a lot of our people, politicians.

China has invested a lot of money in Indian businesses and sponsors a lot of our sports..

In this hostile environment, with no goodwill, and rather people campaigning for no Chinese purchases and alternatives for Chinese products, it makes very little sense for the Chinese to continue to sponsor.

BCCI, Indian sports, Indian economy is the ultimate loser here and Pakistanis should have a good laugh about it given how our businessmen have always tried to sabotage Pakistani sports economy too.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Obv this attempted boycott of China will fizzle out eventually so they can be back by then I guess.

It will only increase. Less and less imports from China. If a Chinese company wants to sell something in India, it has to be built in India. If they import things, the duty increase will make the costs unviable.

 

[umarf76]

Not a political forum but India seems to think that they can flex their muscle with everyone including China. May work with Pakistan but i dont think it is in their interest to also have China on the wrong side.

Anyways we want to see cricket so hope all this will get resolved.

 

[kamz]

It’s always funny to see the gymnastics

well disclaimer here

I am specifically mentioning the case of byju's not of the title sponsorship of Vivo

as that isnt an equity investment for sure

but byjus yes absolutely

 

[Bewal Express]

The Inds need to kick out all Chinese companies to show they are serious after their humiliation in Ladakh. They need to boycott everything to do with China to regain some dignity

 

[MenInG]

The surprise withdrawal of Chinese mobile maker VIVO from IPL has left BCCI with little time to invite bids for a new title sponsor for the upcoming season set to be played in the UAE. Reportedly, VIVO pulled out of the season after calls for boycott of Chinese products swept through India following deadly clashes between the armed forces of the two countries in June this year.

VIVO had a five-year deal with BCCI as part of which it paid Rs 440 crore a year for sponsoring the cash-rich cricket tournament.

In the turbulent financial times triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, the IPL teams were already bracing for lesser revenue as compared to the previous season as individual sponsors are negotiating discounted deals and there will be gate revenues as the matches will be played inside empty stadiums.

As per a report in Mumbai Mirror, BCCI has told the eight franchises that VIVO’s withdrawal means each of them can expect at least drop in revenue by Rs 25 crore.

The BCCI has assured the team owners that it will soon float a Request For Proposal (RFP).

Additionally, the board is expected to spend more this season considering the bio-secure bubble and strict health protocols becoming necessary for a safe conduct of the tournament.

“The health and safety of the players, all stakeholders is paramount, even if it meant a loss in our incomes. We’re strongly behind the BCCI on this. We’ll cooperate,” Mirror quoted an unnamed owner as saying.

Meanwhile, the teams want the IPL SOP to be tweaked including relaxation in quarantine period for players to ensure they have more time to practice and prepare for a gruelling season.

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news...-after-vivo-pulls-out-as-title-sponsor-941763

 

[someone21]

Seems BCCI didn't even meet and discuss with franchises earlier. The franchise now have also raised plenty of demands, new rules and it's all in all, poor management.

 

[MenInG]

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Chinese smartphone maker Vivo Communication Technology Co’s Indian arm Vivo India on Thursday decided to suspend their partnership for the 2020 season of the Indian Premier League. BCCI informed about the development through an official press release.

“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and vivo Mobile India Pvt Ltd have decided to suspend their partnership for Indian Premier League in 2020,” the release stated.

The Indian Premier League season will begin this year from September 19th and the final will be played on November 10th. The tournament will be held in the United Arab Emirates across three venues at Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The move comes after BCCI and the IPL Governing Council were both criticised for retaining Vivo as the title sponsor at a time when anti-China sentiment is running high in India. The government has banned Chinese apps, placed stringent restrictions on Chinese investments, and is reviewing partnerships Indian educational institutions have with Chinese institutions. All of this comes in the backdrop of tensions between the two countries along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh where a scrap between the two armies resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese ones.

BCCI plans to float a tender to invite a new title sponsor for just this year, for the league.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...or-ipl-2020/story-2r4Sa9Y7jvmFwWgz22ZRpL.html

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Wow it actually happened lol.

 

[Savak]

What are the financial implications for IPL 2020 now? Expenses will be through the roof given that it is going to be held in the UAE. Looks like the BCCI will have to pay out of pocket

 

[MenInG]

The withdrawal of VIVO as the title sponsor of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 could have a snowball effect as far as the sponsorship and advertising of this season is concerned. While the mobile-maker pulled out keeping the anti-China sentiments in mind, many other Chinese brands like OPPO, Real Me, Xiaomi, Huawei, Lenovo are reportedly looking to stay away from the T20 league too.

VIVO has a lucrative INR 440-crore per year contract with the BCCI as the title sponsor of the league but the smartphone brand decided to take a sabbatical this year keeping the 'boycott China' mood among Indians in mind amid the political tensions between the two countries. While VIVO's pullout is set to cost BCCI big as getting a new sponsor on a similar deal is considered nearly impossible.

What's a bigger worry for the BCCI as well as broadcaster Star Sports is that many other Chinese brands who do on-air advertising during the tournament, may look to stay away from the T20 league this time around due to the anti-China mood of people.

“The sentiment against Chinese brands is very strong currently. We are advising our clients to stay away from any big-ticket advertising. Be it IPL 2020 or any other big television property, it is unlikely Chinese brands will advertise in these circumstances”, a big advertising agency involved in the media buying for the Chinese handphone client told Inside Sport.

VIVO and OPPO both advertise on Star Sports extensively. As per Inside Sport, they spent about of INR 240 crore cumulatively on advertisements during IPL 2019. This year, however, they could remain away from the tournament entirely.

“Handset category is one of the biggest advertising category on IPL over the years. It will be tough for the broadcaster to replace them. But the good part is some more categories have opened up for them. Edtech companies this time are expected to be big advertising category along with the Consumer Durables as the IPL this year is coinciding with Diwali”, asserted Ashish Chadha, CEO of leading Sports Marketing Company Sporty Solutionz.

“Because the economy is down, a lot of advertising will go away. For many companies such as durables, festivities suit more than April-May. They are the biggest hope for IPL this year,’’ said another media agency.

PayTM, Swiggy, Zomato, Dream11 also have Chinese links and the current situation could make them rethink their strategy as far as advertising is concerned. After generating revenue of INR 2100 crore last year, Star India is reportedly expecting the figures to come between INR 1500 crore and 1700 crore this time.

The BCCI is currently in the hunt for new sponsors. The coming week or so will give a more clear picture as to where the sponsorship situation stands for IPL 13.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...-sponsorship-on-air-advertising-report/633727

 

[MenInG]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) Season 13 received a big jolt after title sponsor VIVO decided to withdraw on the 11th-hour amid the anti-China sentiments of people following Sino-India political stand-off. VIVO's pull-out also took away INR 440 crore from the pockets of BCCI but the board is hopeful of striking a good deal considering the likes of Amazon, Unacademy and MyCircle11 are in the running.

The BCCI is up with many challenges to make the 13th edition of the league a success. While the COVID-19 threat would need the officials to be on their toes through the entire course of the tournament, the task of finding a sponsor who could match VIVO's deal is turning out to be a herculean task.

As per a report in News 18, the BCCI would be happy to find a sponsor even at 1/3rd of the deal it had with the Chinese mobile-maker.

"In fact, it's a win for BCCI even if they get a title sponsor at 1/3rd the value and two official partners to somewhat make up for the pool. Expect Vivo's Rs 440-odd cr pool to scale down to around Rs 180 cr and that, mind you, will be a win for BCCI in this market," the report quoted sources as saying.

The names of Byju's and Unacademy have reportedly surfaced as potential bidders but fantasy sports platforms like Dream11 and MyCircle11 are also in the fray.

"The BCCI is looking for partners today. If Byju's decide to support the IPL today and rework the jersey sponsorship numbers going forward, it could be a win for them and BCCI," say sources.

The clash between sponsors of the same business stream could also make the sponsorship subject complex but sources believe that they all can come in as different partners.

"That's where there's space for an Unacademy or a MyCircle11 to walk in as official partners. If Dream11 take the title, Unacademy can step in as official partners. If Byju's take the title, MyCircle11 can come in. Brands won't be conflicted," say sources.

As far as the title sponsorship is concerned, e-commerce giant Amazon is reportedly being seen as the leader, especially with regards to the festival season that will arrive alongside the IPL.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...ticles&utm_medium=widget&utm_campaign=related

 

[MenInG]

MUMBAI: The BCCI and the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council are putting their foot down on giving any compensation to the franchises or any of the stakeholders ahead of the 13th edition of the IPL in UAE starting next month.

The board’s view on the matter is based on the perspective that “had there been no IPL this year, there would’ve been no earnings whatsoever. So, the fact that the IPL will be held this season assures the league’s stakeholders some revenue as against no revenue at all”.

One IPL franchise, in particular, had suggested in the run-up to the team owners’ meeting on Thursday that “the BCCI should do away with the 20% share of franchises’ top-line revenue that they are contractually obliged to receive every season”. Most of the other franchises, however, haven’t been particularly demanding in this aspect.

The BCCI, nevertheless, is about to convey a firm “no” to the said franchise on the stated request, with an explanation on why it is not possible to do away with the key 20% share.

“That 20% — from all eight franchises’ top-line — goes to the members of the BCCI and is part of the revenue corpus that state associations depend on. Every year, the association hosting an IPL match receives Rs 50 lakh from the franchise and Rs 50 lakh from the BCCI as hosting fee — totaling to Rs 8 crore per venue and Rs 64 crore across all franchises per season. Since this year’s edition is shifting to UAE, that revenue is already out of the window, so the 20% will stay,” say those sharing BCCI’s perspective.

TOI spoke with 13 state associations and none have disagreed with the view.

The 20% share aside, BCCI will not compensate the franchises for the loss of this season’s gate money either.

So, how much is a franchise expected to earn this season on an average? Here’s the math: 50% of broadcaster’s revenue will be shared among eight teams, so that’s an approximate Rs 200 crore per franchise. There are five official partners – other than Vivo – who bring an approximate Rs 200 crore every season, so that’s around Rs 12 crore per franchise.

BCCI is floating a replacement for Vivo and looking to bring in additional partners on board. Even if it raises 50% of Vivo’s value this year, that’ll mean another Rs 12-14 crore per franchise. A franchise will end up earning around anywhere between Rs 220 to 230 crore only from the central revenue pool.

“Add the local revenues like jersey sponsorship and other partners to that and the franchises are going to earn in excess of Rs 250 crore. Deduct the player fees and operating costs, franchises will still earn in excess of Rs 100 crore in the middle of a pandemic. Now, how’s that compared to no IPL this season?” say those tracking developments.

TOI had reported on Friday about the possible companies – Amazon, Byju’s & Dream 11 – who are already showing interest to replace Vivo for this year.

“The deal will be closed in a week from now. Let’s hope for the best,” sources say.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...-of-top-line-revenue/articleshow/77425741.cms

 

[MenInG]

The hunt for the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) title sponsor is proving to be more difficult than what it was expected by the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI). As VIVO-BCCI relationship was put on hold for the current season, board was expecting that brands as always will start lining up at their doors. But owing to very difficult market conditions, according to the information with the InsideSport, BCCI is not even getting one serious interested party who is ready to make an offer for the IPL 2020 title sponsorship.

It was being speculated that BCCI has approached India’s biggest telecom player Reliance Jio to bail BCCI out of the tough situation. But InsideSport has reliably learnt from its sources that company is not interested in the IPL Title partnership and is not in talks with BCCI for the same.

InsideSport has further learnt from its sources, that during the franchises call with IPL Governing Council officials on Wednesday evening, one of the franchise official had asked Mumbai Indians representative present on the call about JIO’S interest in the TITLE Sponsorship of IPL. And it was cleared there itself by the said representative that ‘they are not exploring any such association’.
IPL 2020 : If not JIO, who can be the contenders for the IPL 2020 TITLE Sponsorships?

It has also been learnt that BCCI has sent SOS to various other corporate houses but none of them have shown any serious interest for now.

BCCI is also reaching out to its existing partners PayTM (BCCI’s Home Series Sponsor), Byju’s (Indian Team Jersey Partners) and also some of the IPL associate partners (Tata Motors, Dream11 and others) to check if they would be interested in the IPL 2020 title partnership. But they have received less than encouraging response from most of the parties.

BCCI is facing another hitch of sorts. The board faced severe backlash owing to the Anti-China sentiment due to which they have already lost VIVO as the title sponsor of the league. The apprehension doing the rounds behind BCCI’s corridors is, will board face flak one more time courtesy anti-China wave if they get any company on board for IPL 2020 with the Chinese investments. Byju’s, PayTM and Dream11 are all Indian grown businesses but on the back of Chinese investments.

“All of these companies are BCCI’s partners. They are Indian entities but we are little concerned about very strong Anti-China undercurrent. We don’t want to speculate on how people will react if any of them come on board”, said one of the BCCI official.

Outside of these names, Amazon is the only one who has wherewithal to ride the occasion. Amazon spends very big on advertising during the festive sales – will they ride the bait ? Difficult to predict the future but what InsideSport can confirm is that the brand has shown some interest but is yet to make any definitive plans for such a huge investment. Unacademy, Coke are some of the rank outsiders whose names are also doing the rounds.

IPL 2020 : How much IPL 2020 sponsorship values can fall ?

In these depressing economic times, according to most of the industry experts InsideSport spoke to are of the view that, it will be a big surprise for everyone if any brand decides to pay more than 200 Cr for the IPL 2020 Title this year. If that happens, IPL title values will see a fall of more than 50%.
– DLF was the first title sponsor of IPL and paid Rs 40 crore per year for the first five years.

– Later, PepsiCo picked up the rights for a five year cycle at double the price at 80 Cr per year deal with the BCCI.

– But Pepsi exited before its fourth year, reassigning the rights to Vivo at the same price for the remainder of the deal while Vivo went ahead and bid Rs 2,190 crore for the next five (2018-2022) seasons.

From 80 Cr – IPL title values jumped almost 5.5 times to 440Cr as VIVO surprised everyone with such an astronomical deal. According to the experts, this deal from the word-go has been overpaid by the Chinese handset maker and now is the time for the ‘substantial corrections’, according to the experts.

https://www.insidesport.co/ipl-2020-reliance-jio-declines-bccis-sos-for-ipl-2020-title-sponsorship/

 

[cricketjoshila]

Exclusive: Panic grips BCCI as Vivo likely to make IPL exit; franchises sweat

MUMBAI: A leading Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, already fighting tooth and nail to claim compensation from BCCI over having to lose out on gate money in UAE this season, called up the other seven franchises on Monday evening to inform them that the league’s title sponsors - Vivo India - are on the verge of exiting, at least for this year.

Vivo India, the local arm of the Chinese mobile manufacturing giant, has been in the middle of a social-media storm in the last 48 hours after the IPL Governing Council, on Sunday, said that it would be retaining all its sponsors for the 2020 edition of the tournament. The BCCI and the IPL Governing Council have faced criticism for deciding to not cut ties with the Chinese company.

On Monday, the said franchise took it upon itself to inform the others of Vivo’s impending exit given the hostility towards Chinese brands that has been around post the border skirmish between the two countries some time ago. The Indian government has banned a specific number of Chinese apps already and there has been a lot of talk recently on cutting all trade ties with the neighbour.

While the BCCI says it takes the general sentiment of the Indian cricket fans in absolute seriousness and is in the middle of a series of meetings with the central government to convey / receive the final word on Vivo’s presence, the Board is “miffed” that one franchise took it upon itself to let the others know of the development without waiting to hear from the IPL governing council first.

“Was it not the franchise’s duty to consult with BCCI first?” ask those in the know.

While it’s a matter that BCCI is going to pay serious attention to in the near future, the immediate focus of the cricket board is to find a suitable replacement for Vivo, who are the title sponsors of the IPL, should the exit be confirmed.

A formal decision is likely in the next 24 hours and franchises are already worried about compensation.

Well-placed sources confirmed to TOI on Tuesday morning that “Vivo is going to have to exit the league this year and that looks certain now. How that happens is going to depend on how BCCI and Vivo negotiate the matter. The company (Vivo) has had its own share of issues and the BCCI has optics to deal with, given the political climate. They have to come to some understanding here because legal options can’t be considered in this case”.

Vivo India had bagged the IPL title sponsorship rights in 2017 for Rs 2199 crore, committing to pay the league approximately Rs 440 crore every season, for a five-year deal. The mobile-manufacturer had earlier replaced soft-drink giants PepsiCo to enter the title sponsorship space after the latter walked out of a Rs 396-crore deal in 2016, allowing the IPL to earn an approximate 450% premium.

The contractual obligation between Vivo India and the IPL is an ‘iron-clad’ one and unless the former agrees to walk out of this through negotiations, the BCCI will continue to have a proverbial headache to deal with. TOI also understands that, at the moment, Vivo India too would like to walk away from the contract, by way of negotiations, given the negativity towards the brand that has enveloped the market.

BCCI’s bigger headache, if Vivo exits, will be to find a suitable replacement, especially in this market ruined by Covid and at such short notice.

“Even if the Board can get a replacement at 50% of the value, it’ll be an achievement. Anything more than that will actually be a shot in the arm. Let’s hope things settle amicably. The IPL has been planned and everything’s set,” industry stakeholders opined.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...xit-franchises-sweat/articleshow/77348723.cms

Bhai can you tell me the source of your heading?

The source you posted has no such heading of bcci panic and franchisees sweating.

Or is it from another source?

 

[Abdullah719]

Bhai can you tell me the source of your heading?

The source you posted has no such heading of bcci panic and franchisees sweating.

Or is it from another source?

That was the title of that article at the time. You can see it in the link as well.

Will update now as it’s outdated anyway.

 

[Savak]

Good, the IPL stakeholders used to bags of cash will now have to feel the pinch and watch their wallets more deeply

 

[Major]

How long is our deal with hbl?

Is there a chance if these chinese companies take interest in the title sponsor(if the hbl deal ends this year or next year) of psl?

Or atleast interest in our of our franchise

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

So it was VIVO who pulled out from this not BCCI? In an ideal world it should have been BCCI. What a slap from VIVO.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I hope one of Disney, Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network come forward and sponsor IPL. They are perfect for both the brand and their audience.

 

[MenInG]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) suffered a blow a couple of days ago as its title sponsor, Chinese mobile phone maker Vivo, “paused” its partnership with the Indian cricket board for this edition of the Twenty20 tournament. But Sourav Ganguly, the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and former captain of the Indian team, doesn’t want to call this phase a crisis.

“I would not call it a financial crisis. It’s a little bit of a blip and the only way you can do (overcome) that is by being professionally strong over a period of time. Big things don’t come overnight, big things don’t go away overnight. Preparation for a long period of time gets you ready for losses, and success,” Ganguly said in a webinar organised by S. Chand on Saturday.

The BCCI is yet to zero in on a replacement for Vivo. “BCCI is a strong foundation. The game, the administrators in the past have made it so strong that the BCCI is able to handle all these blips,” he said.

Ganguly also admitted that the resumption of cricket in England has given confidence to other stakeholders about restarting the sport. “If you look at England, there is county cricket going on everywhere. There’s football happening; they just finished the Premier League. That gives you confidence that if they can go around the country and get cricket done, if we have the right medical staff and the teams are spread out in various venues and we do it clinically and professionally, I am sure we can get past this. There is no guarantee to anything. You have to believe in yourself,” the BCCI chief said.

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...y-premier-league-football/article32304595.ece

 

[Rajdeep]

Patanjali considering bidding for IPL title sponsorship

NEW DELHI: Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved is considering to bid for the title sponsorship of the upcoming Indian Premier League(IPL), according to a company official.

The slot of the title sponsorship of IPL was vacated after the Chinese handset maker Vivo decided to exit from it.

https://m.timesofindia.com/sports/c...itle-sponsorship/amp_articleshow/77459863.cms

IPL going hindutva way :

 

[MenInG]

Patanjali considering bidding for IPL title sponsorship

NEW DELHI: Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved is considering to bid for the title sponsorship of the upcoming Indian Premier League(IPL), according to a company official.

The slot of the title sponsorship of IPL was vacated after the Chinese handset maker Vivo decided to exit from it.

https://m.timesofindia.com/sports/c...itle-sponsorship/amp_articleshow/77459863.cms

IPL going hindutva way :

The Indian Premier League (IPL) may go swadeshi this season. According to reports, Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved is likely to bid for the IPL title sponsorship and give the popular T20 cricket league a desi touch. (More Cricket News)

"We are considering the IPL title sponsorship for this year, since we want to give the Patanjali brand a global marketing platform," The Economic Times quoted Patanjali spokesperson SK Tijarawala as saying.

The BCCI on had on August 6 suspended the IPL title sponsorship deal with Chinese mobile phone company Vivo for the event's upcoming edition amid the Sino-India border face-off.

It's worth noting that the BCCI's initial decision to retain all the sponsors, including the Chinese companies, had come under severe criticism. Many even considered the cricket board's step as tantamount to defying Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for 'Atnanirbharta'.

If Patanjali Ayurved, which sells a range of grocery, ayurveda and natural products, wins the title rights, it can at least become visible again. Despite making a sensational entrance into the Indian market with its varied nationalistic slogans, Patanjali has so far failed to capture the share it had set out to win.

Besides Patanjali, companies like Jio, Amazon, the Tata group, Dream11, Unacademy and Byjus have reportedly expressed their desire to bid for the IPL sponsorship rights.

The title sponsorship is a significant part of the IPL's commercial revenue, half of which is shared equally by the eight franchises.

Vivo won the IPL title sponsorship rights for five years from 2018 to 2022 for a reported sum of Rs 2190 crore, approximately Rs 440 crore per annum.

https://www.outlookindia.com/websit...o-bid-for-ipl-title-sponsorship-report/358354

 

[MenInG]

MUMBAI: Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Indian cricket - already the softest target for those who have wanted to milk it for their most perverse and morbidly conceited reasons - is once again staring down the proverbial barrel.

A little more than a month to go for one of the world's biggest sports properties to begin in a season that's been so massively dictated by the wrath of a raging pandemic, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is once again caught in a quagmire of pathetic proportions.

Severely fractured by Vivo India's exit as title sponsor - a development that has cost the IPL's coffers a dent of Rs 440 crore this year - the league is now facing questions from unsolicited fronts on some of its other sponsors.

"Big trouble for BCCI, now calls to drop PayTM, Byju's & Dream 11", read a headline, echoing strongly parochial and baseless sentiments that have been in the air for over a fortnight now.

All the three sponsors - PayTM is the IPL's umpire partner and BCCI's title sponsor; Dream 11 is an official partner with BCCI as well as the IPL; E-learning start-up Byju's is Team India's jersey sponsor - bring anywhere close to Rs 400 crore to the Indian cricket every year.

"Do these guys even realise these are Indian companies, with Indian employees and Indian entrepreneurs?" cried a leading industry executive, crying hoarse at the way Indian cricket is being targeted for reasons not attributable to it.

Byju's and Dream 11, for the record, happen to be unicorns and unilaterally India-driven start-ups with single-digit foreign investments. "That way, even HDFC bank has a 1% Chinese investment. Why is it always cricket? If BCCI has to bear the brunt of senseless agitations, let it come from the courts or the centre," say those tracking developments.

Vivo India and the IPL parted ways last week, at least for this year, after the recent controversies surrounding the upheaval in Indo-Sino relationship forced its hand. While the general sentiment of a highly 'volatile and concerned' Indian mindset prevailed, fact is Vivo India happens to be a company registered in India and accountable to the law of the land here, not in China.

"Both parties - BCCI and Vivo - had to very carefully and smoothly distance themselves from each other without attracting legalities because that wouldn't help anybody's cause", say those tracking developments.

Post the Vivo chapter, the cricket board is left facing with more such headache, for reasons that are A) Invalid; B) Not within their control.

"But that's the thing about Indian cricket. You want to raise anything controversial and make it into a talking point, just scratch the cricketing ecosystem. Everybody latches on to it. Doesn't everybody follow Indian cricket?" say petrified industry executives.

"Why can't there be a civilised debate on these subjects? Two years ago, when IPL managed to strike these mega deals, the whole country went gung-ho on how Indian cricket was scaling heights. We like to compare our properties with the NBA or an English Premier League (EPL). We rejoice with a sense of entitlement. But do we set the right benchmarks for ourselves when we become part of such a humdrum?" says a leading industrialist, with quite an affinity for Indian sport.

People who like to rush out on the streets, motivated by reasons they themselves seem to be clueless about, don't get it that IPL isn't just a platform for leisure and entertainment. It's a major source of employment and the finances required to run that ecosystem derives muscles from the industry they are targeting.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...-the-china-conundrum/articleshow/77460925.cms

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Javed Afridi should bid.

 

[MenInG]

The BCCI has received the central government's formal approval to conduct this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) in the UAE, IPL Chairman Brijesh Patel revealed on Monday. The IPL will be held in the UAE from September 19 to November 10 in three cities -- Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The government had last week given an "in principle" go-ahead to the BCCI to shift the marquee league to the UAE due to rising cases of COVID-19 in the country.

"Yes, we have received all the written approvals," Patel told PTI when asked whether the permission has come in writing from both the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

When an Indian sports body shifts a domestic tournament abroad, it requires clearance from Home, External and sports ministries respectively.

"Once we had the verbal okay from the government, we had intimated the Emirates Cricket Board. Now we have the papers also, so franchises can be intimated that everything is in order," a veteran BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Most of the franchises will be flying out after August 20 after two mandatory RT-PCR (COVID-19 tests) conducted within 24 hours from their departure base.

The Chennai Super Kings players and staff, who are leaving on August 22, will have a small camp at the Chepauk on the insistence of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The BCCI is also facing problems on the sponsorship front after calling off the title deal with Chinese mobile phone company Vivo for the current year due to massive public outrage over the Sino-India border stand-off.

It was a Rs 440 crore deal and as BCCI looks at potential sponsors, Baba Ramdev's Patanjali has shown interest in becoming the new title sponsor.

https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2020/bc...oval-to-hold-ipl-in-uae-brijesh-patel-2277260

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Patanjali considering bidding for IPL title sponsorship

NEW DELHI: Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved is considering to bid for the title sponsorship of the upcoming Indian Premier League(IPL), according to a company official.

The slot of the title sponsorship of IPL was vacated after the Chinese handset maker Vivo decided to exit from it.

https://m.timesofindia.com/sports/c...itle-sponsorship/amp_articleshow/77459863.cms

IPL going hindutva way :

Will foreign players advertise Patanjali Products such as Desi Ghee, Sharbat, Gau Mutra, Soap, Toothpaste etc?

 

[fitCricFan]

When most of the folks here don't watch or care for IPL, why the concern for IPL & BCCI sponsorship. BCCI has deep pockets and will do just fine and IPL will run just as it has been for the past decade.

We should be more concerned about PCB's inability to find a sponsor for the national cricket team and getting the PSL franchises to fulfill their obligations and pay their dues. How about the concern for getting a logical conclusion to this year's PSL? Is the season over or not. Who is the winner or winners? Are we going to have another year of PSL.

 

[Rajdeep]

Will foreign players advertise Patanjali Products such as Desi Ghee, Sharbat, Gau Mutra, Soap, Toothpaste etc?

Throw in some money and they will definitely promote these products. Not sure why you think otherwise. Its 'easypaisa' for them...lol.

 

[King_Kohli]

brands which can probably bid for IPL title sponsorship:

•Amazon.
•Tata Motors.
•Coca Cola.
•Patanjali.
•Byju's.
•Paytm.

 

[King_Kohli]

Sourav Ganguly in a webinar said that the BCCI is a strong foundation. The game, the players, the administrators have made this game so strong that the BCCI is able to handle all these blips.
They've plan B as well about IPL title sponsorship.

 

[JaDed]

IPL should sever ties with Chinese sponsors, if not this season, then by 2021: Ness Wadia

Bilateral relationship between India and China remain strained after clashes in Ladakh’s Galwan valley led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers. With the border stand-off continuing, there has been a call for boycotting Chinese companies involved at various levels in India.

While the Indian government banned 59 Chinese apps on Tuesday, there has been a growing call for Indian cricket to end its relationship with Chinese sponsors. Kings XI Punjab’s co-owner Ness Wadia has called for a gradual end to Chinese sponsorship in the Indian Premier League amid escalating tensions between the two countries owing to the violent clash in eastern Ladakh earlier this month.

“We should do it (sever ties with Chinese sponsors in IPL) for the sake of the nation. Country comes first, money is secondary. And it is the Indian Premier League, not the Chinese Premier League. It should lead by example and show the way,” Wadia told PTI on Tuesday.

“Yes it would be difficult to find sponsors initially but I am sure there are enough Indian sponsors who can replace them. We must have all the respect for the nation and our government and most importantly for the soldiers who risk their lives for us,” said the known Indian businessman.

The Chinese soldiers used stones, nail-studded sticks, iron rods and clubs to carry out a brutal attack on Indian soldiers after they protested the erection of a surveillance post by China on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control in Galwan.

The incident was the biggest confrontation between the two militaries after their 1967 clashes in Nathu La when India lost around 80 soldiers while the death toll on the Chinese side stood well over 300.

Chinese mobile phone maker Vivo is the IPL title sponsor and it pays the BCCI Rs 440 crore annually for the five-year deal ending in 2022.

Other companies involved in the IPL -- Paytm, Swiggy, Dream 11 -- have Chinese investments. Not just the IPL, the teams too attract Chinese sponsorship.

While Wadia made his stance clear, other teams, including Chennai Super Kings, said they will be happy to go with whatever the government decides.

“It will be tough to replace them initially but if it has to be done for the sake of the nation, we should do it,” a CSK source told PTI.

Another team owner said: “Let the government decide first, whatever they decide, we will follow”.

However, Wadia said it is not right to await government’s directive on the controversial subject as “it is our moral responsibility to stand with the nation at this hour”.

“If I was the BCCI president, I would say find me an Indian sponsor for the upcoming season.

“Indian companies need to step up and see the same benefits and opportunities that Chinese companies have seen in the IPL, which is the best T20 league in the world.”

Asked about the Chinese sponsorship in IPL teams, Wadia said: “The teams too should be given time to replace their Chinese sponsors. As I said, there are enough Indian companies which can replace them.”

Wadia also welcomed the Indian government’s decision to ban Chinese apps citing national security.

“If India plays its card right, it can really be the superpower it desires to be,” he observed.

“Personally I don’t like to buy Chinese products because they are sub-standard. The focus has to be on making Indian and buying Indian. China produces such large volumes and suffocates the world, it has to stop. We should put all our efforts on making India a manufacturing hub.

“I travel around the country a lot. If we don’t stop the influx of cheap Chinese goods and are not firm in what we are doing, Indian manufacturing will die,” cautioned Wadia.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...-ness-wadia/story-8K8jPZR4ik2NPRq39855SP.html

Do you know he is the great grand son of Mr.Jinnah? Not a fan of his family but they are influential.

 

[JaDed]

Patanjali IPL oh my the nightmare has come true.

 

[Oxfordchamp]

brands which can probably bid for IPL title sponsorship:

•Amazon.
•Tata Motors.
•Coca Cola.
•Patanjali.
•Byju's.
•Paytm.

Jio is also a front runner..Jio IPL sounds cool

 

[The Viper]

INVITATION FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (“IEOI”) FOR IPL TITLE SPONSORSHIP RIGHTS FOR 2020

Invitation for Expressions of Interest (“IEOI”) for IPL Title Sponsorship Rights for 2020

1. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (“BCCI”) invites third parties to express their interest (“EOI”) in acquiring the title sponsorship rights (“Rights”) for the Indian Premier League 2020 (“IPL” or League”) to be held in United Arab Emirates from September 19, 2020 to November 10, 2020.

2. The Rights are available for the period from August 18, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Details regarding the Rights and product categories in which the Rights are available will be provided only to parties who submit the EOI and are found eligible.

3. The turnover of the interested third party must be over INR 300 Crores (Indian Rupees Three Hundred Crores only) as per the last audited accounts.

4. Interested third parties (excluding marketing agency / agents) wishing to acquire any of the Rights should submit an EOI in the manner prescribed below. For the avoidance of doubt, it is clarified that marketing agency / agents are not eligible to bid and any bid submitted by a marketing agency / agent shall be rejected at the outset.

5. Each EOI should:

contain the full name and address of the relevant third party; and
indicate the product category or product categories in respect of which the third party is interested of being appointed as a Title Sponsor for IPL 2020; and
provide last audited accounts evidencing a turnover of INR 300 Crores (Indian Rupees Three Hundred Crores only).

6. The Rights and the product categories will be discussed after the delivery of EOIs, with each third party having submitted an EOI and to clarify, third parties need not include any indicative level of fees for acquiring the Rights in their EOIs. The final bid will be submitted in accordance with the procedure prescribed in clause 13 below.

7. Neither the publication of this document nor any part of its content is to be taken as any form of offer capable of acceptance or any commitment or acknowledgment on the part of BCCI to proceed with any EOI of any third party and BCCI reserves the unfettered right not to grant any or all of the Rights without giving any reasons.

8. For the avoidance of doubt, it is clarified that BCCI shall not be obliged to award the Rights to the third party which indicates willingness to pay the highest fees in the course of discussions/ negotiations with BCCI after submitting an EOI. BCCI’s decision in this regard will also depend on a number of other relevant factors, including but not limited to, the manner in which the third party intends to exploit the Rights and the potential impact of the same on brand IPL as also the fan/ viewer experience, which will be examined/ evaluated by BCCI in the course of discussions/ negotiations with interested third parties who submit an EOI.

9. The grant of the Rights shall be conditional upon the relevant third party entering into a binding agreement with BCCI (standard BCCI template of the agreement), the form of which will be sent by BCCI to the relevant third party. No legally binding obligations shall be assumed by or imposed on BCCI or its nominated representatives in connection with this document and its subject-matter, and none of the Rights shall be granted until such time as a binding agreement is entered into by BCCI and any relevant third party.

10. Neither BCCI nor its officers, employees and/or agents shall, in any circumstances whatsoever, be responsible or liable in any manner or mode by whatever name called or described for any costs, liabilities, losses, damages or expenses of any kind whatsoever incurred or suffered in connection with this document or as a consequence of the preparation or delivery of any EOI.

11. All matters in relation to this IEOI or the process shall be governed by the laws of India, without reference to its conflict-of-law principles and any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts at Mumbai, India.

12. Each EOI must be delivered by email to the following address: eoi@bcci.tv with the following subject line “EOI for Title Sponsor for IPL 2020” and must be received by 5.00 pm IST on August 14, 2020. Any EOIs received after this deadline will not be considered unless BCCI decides otherwise at its sole discretion.

13. Post-delivery of the EOI, BCCI shall inform the Rights, product categories and entitlements to the interested third parties. The final bid should be sent to eoi@bcci.tv between 11 am to 1 pm on August 18, 2020. The above time schedule is subject to revision by BCCI at its sole discretion.

For and Behalf of The Board of Control for Cricket in India

https://www.iplt20.com/news/206400/...eoi-for-ipl-title-sponsorship-rights-for-2020

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Looks like BCCI marketing team is not one of those to give up easily.

IPL sponsorship: BCCI looks to raise Rs 300cr in the middle of raging pandemic :

MUMBAI: Indian cricket is gearing up for a show of strength and whatever happens between now and the next 72 hours will determine the size of the game's financial muscle in the country, especially in the middle of an unrelenting pandemic.

The BCCI has decided to expand its official partners in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from three to five - looking to bring two additional partners at an average commitment of Rs 40cr each - and are aiming to raise anywhere around Rs 300cr in the wake of Vivo's exit.

Further, TOI understands, the cricket board is zeroing in on a "substantial deal" and could end up throwing a surprise by the end of the week where the title rights are concerned. "There's chatter about Amazon, Byju's, Dream 11 being in the race. But expect BCCI to spring a surprise," say those tracking developments.

Considering the deal will only be for a four-month window, anything in the given range will be heralded a huge victory not just for Indian cricket but in the global sports industry.

With a Chinese company opting out for this year and causing a Rs 450cr deficit in the sponsorship market, industry executives insist "it is now a matter of prestige for India Inc to show that its most valuable property - Indian cricket - can sustain".

Vivo India was committed to pay the BCCI an approx. Rs 440 crore for five years after coming on board in 2018 but find itself out this year due to external factors. At around Rs 300cr, the board will succeed in making up for at least 3/4th of the loss brought about by Vivo's exit. The question doing the rounds in India's fledgling, but energetic sports industry is "can that kind of money be raised in a year devastated by Covid?"


The fact that the new title sponsor will get only a four-month rights window - until December - for any brand activation or purposes of obvious discernibility, makes the task all the more challenging.


Industry sources say BCCI has received verbal commitments from e-learning app Unacademy and credit card payment platform Cred to come aboard as official partners, subject to the title bid. "If Byju's attempt to bid for the title rights succeed, Unacademy will have to make way or make a higher bid," say those in the know.


E-learning app Byju's, ecommerce giants Amazon and sports fantasy platform Dream 11 continue to be in the race. "Byju's have saved money this year on the Team India jersey rights simply because Covid wiped out all cricket since March. They are exploring this space primarily because they're sitting on that kind of cash. Dream 11 have been big in cricket sponsorships. But it is Amazon that will turn this game, if they come to the table," sources add.


And then again, there are those who believe the cricket board "is yet to reveal all its cards" and that there's another big name willing to come aboard.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

BYJU and UnAcademy have lots of cash with them. E-learning market in India has exploded in last 2 years and with kids now learning from home due to home, user base has grown a lot.
Lets see if these guys are ready to pump in some cash at this moment.
But Marketing team of BCCI looks to be very competent and aggressive.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Jio is also a front runner..Jio IPL sounds cool&#55357;&#56846;

Would there be any conflict of interest as they already have a team in the IPL ?

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Do you know he is the great grand son of Mr.Jinnah? Not a fan of his family but they are influential.

huh... i was not aware of that. Pakistan should also pull him in to sponsor a team in PSL.

 

[MenInG]

MUMBAI: Indian cricket is gearing up for a show of strength and whatever happens between now and the next 72 hours will determine the size of the game's financial muscle in the country, especially in the middle of an unrelenting pandemic.

The BCCI has decided to expand its official partners in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from three to five - looking to bring two additional partners at an average commitment of Rs 40cr each - and are aiming to raise anywhere around Rs 300cr in the wake of Vivo's exit.

Further, TOI understands, the cricket board is zeroing in on a "substantial deal" and could end up throwing a surprise by the end of the week where the title rights are concerned. "There's chatter about Amazon, Byju's, Dream 11 being in the race. But expect BCCI to spring a surprise," say those tracking developments.

Considering the deal will only be for a four-month window, anything in the given range will be heralded a huge victory not just for Indian cricket but in the global sports industry.

With a Chinese company opting out for this year and causing a Rs 450cr deficit in the sponsorship market, industry executives insist "it is now a matter of prestige for India Inc to show that its most valuable property - Indian cricket - can sustain".

Vivo India was committed to pay the BCCI an approx. Rs 440 crore for five years after coming on board in 2018 but find itself out this year due to external factors. At around Rs 300cr, the board will succeed in making up for at least 3/4th of the loss brought about by Vivo's exit. The question doing the rounds in India's fledgling, but energetic sports industry is "can that kind of money be raised in a year devastated by Covid?"

The fact that the new title sponsor will get only a four-month rights window - until December - for any brand activation or purposes of obvious discernibility, makes the task all the more challenging.

Industry sources say BCCI has received verbal commitments from e-learning app Unacademy and credit card payment platform Cred to come aboard as official partners, subject to the title bid. "If Byju's attempt to bid for the title rights succeed, Unacademy will have to make way or make a higher bid," say those in the know.

E-learning app Byju's, ecommerce giants Amazon and sports fantasy platform Dream 11 continue to be in the race. "Byju's have saved money this year on the Team India jersey rights simply because Covid wiped out all cricket since March. They are exploring this space primarily because they're sitting on that kind of cash. Dream 11 have been big in cricket sponsorships. But it is Amazon that will turn this game, if they come to the table," sources add.

And then again, there are those who believe the cricket board "is yet to reveal all its cards" and that there's another big name willing to come aboard.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...e-of-raging-pandemic/articleshow/77496159.cms