PSL 10 Sponsorship Controversy: Are boycott calls against KFC and Pepsi sponsorship justified?

[BouncerGuy]

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has always been a source of pride and excitement for cricket fans, but this year, its 10th edition is facing backlash over its sponsorships with KFC and Pepsi. Amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, many Muslim-majority nations and activists have called for boycotts against brands accused of supporting Israel. Now, Pakistani fans are demanding the same, urging a boycott of PSL until these sponsorships are revoked.

The Controversy:

• KFC (official snack partner) and Pepsi (Karachi Kings sponsor) are under fire for alleged ties to Israel.
• Social media is flooded with calls to boycott PSL, with fans arguing that entertainment should not overshadow solidarity with Palestine.
• The BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement has gained traction globally, pressuring companies linked to Israel.

Some argue that cricket and politics should remain separate, while others believe standing with oppressed Muslims is a moral obligation. What’s your take? Should PSL drop these sponsors, or is the boycott an overreaction?

 

[Kianig89]

Agreed Mohsin Naqvi being the Chairman PCB and and so close to the influencers in Pakistan should have had arranged for alternate sponsors.

Ae Tair-e- La Huti Us Rizq se parwaz achi
Jis Riz se ati ho parwaz mai kotaahi

 

[Devadwal]

Vivo was removed as the IPL title sponsor in 2020 amid growing anti-China sentiment in India following border tensions with China.

Real test for Pakistan - Money over Pride or Pride over Money .

We will not sell ourselves for the money - Naqvi . Time to prove it.

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

Ethics should supersede any financial benefit. So much joy and celebrations when Middle east is boycotting these brands, but Pakistan can't be sincere in the boycott in its own tournament??

 

[Master Blaster]

Naqvi is a clever operator.
Money beats umma.

 

[Markhor]

And that's why you don't entrust social media fans with the financial wellbeing of our flagship cricket competition.

Shouldn't the Chinese companies be boycotted for their repression of Uyghur Muslims on this basis too ?

Please live in the real world. These people crying online about Muslim solidarity should firstly look at their own actions - do they behave in accordance to the principles of their faith on a daily basis ? Do they treat their countrymen with respect and decency ? Given the lamentable state of Pakistan, it doesn't seem so.

 

[SportsWarrior]

if Pakistanis actually feel that these brands are supporting Palestine people genocide it is Pakistanis responsibility to boycott the brands and any organizations who support their brands

 

[Sachin fan]

Boycott shouldn't be at the expense of damaging oneself as well. If you have a plethora of options to choose from, then Boycott makes sense, but damaging yourself and your revenue in the name of boycott is also stupid.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

And that's why you don't entrust social media fans with the financial wellbeing of our flagship cricket competition.

Shouldn't the Chinese companies be boycotted for their repression of Uyghur Muslims on this basis too ?

Please live in the real world. These people crying online about Muslim solidarity should firstly look at their own actions - do they behave in accordance to the principles of their faith on a daily basis ? Do they treat their countrymen with respect and decency ? Given the lamentable state of Pakistan, it doesn't seem so.

Selective morality. Pakistanis only express outrage as long as its easy and doesn't rock the boat.

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

And that's why you don't entrust social media fans with the financial wellbeing of our flagship cricket competition.

Shouldn't the Chinese companies be boycotted for their repression of Uyghur Muslims on this basis too ?

Please live in the real world. These people crying online about Muslim solidarity should firstly look at their own actions - do they behave in accordance to the principles of their faith on a daily basis ? Do they treat their countrymen with respect and decency ? Given the lamentable state of Pakistan, it doesn't seem so.

Come on! We have entire series of threads cheering the boycotts of western companies due to Palestine-Israel conflict. Pakistan with its unwavering support for Palestine , just last week we had protestors damaging KFC and Dominos in Karachi in support of Palestine but in PSL the major sports event of Pakistan people are enjoying their "blood money" ?

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596449/pakistan

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

Boycott shouldn't be at the expense of damaging oneself as well. If you have a plethora of options to choose from, then Boycott makes sense, but damaging yourself and your revenue in the name of boycott is also stupid.

Lol, then its just a matter of convenience. There is no ethical stand!!

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Come on! We have entire series of threads cheering the boycotts of western companies due to Palestine-Israel conflict. Pakistan with its unwavering support for Palestine , just last week we had protestors damaging KFC and Dominos in Karachi in support of Palestine but in PSL the major sports event of Pakistan people are enjoying their "blood money" ?

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596449/pakistan

Burning or vandalizing KFC outlets is such a stupid and counterproductive thing to do. If you feel a certain way about a brand, just don’t give them your money. Why are you hurting the jobs of other countrymen? Also, not everyone feels this strongly—a lot of people in Pakistan love KFC, eventhough they support the Palestine issue. You can’t force your beliefs on them.

 

[Bhaijaan]

KFC & Pepsi are global multinational brands. A brand like Pepsi isn’t even truly American in the modern world. Every national subsidiary of Pepsi is literally an independent unit. Same with Unilever.

Actually i just recently learnt Bata was actually a multinational company. It’s a case study in itself, Bata goes to every country and integrates with the local culture so beautifully and seamlessly that many country’s people have for years lived under an illusion that Bata was their local brand.

This is is how true multinationals operate.

Pepsi & KFC aren’t providing ammunition to anyone. They just exist as it is in literally every country as their local most trusted brand of berverag, Burger etc.

It’s just a show of extreme jahalat on part of lower class Muslims in our part of the world.

Having said that I have no sympathy for KFC who have failed to maintain their original taste consistency across their outlets.

 

[RyanRyan10]

I think it's a selective outrage motivated by political gains

If anyone wants to boycott then they should do it without harming anyone.

 

[RidiculousMan]

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has always been a source of pride and excitement for cricket fans, but this year, its 10th edition is facing backlash over its sponsorships with KFC and Pepsi. Amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, many Muslim-majority nations and activists have called for boycotts against brands accused of supporting Israel. Now, Pakistani fans are demanding the same, urging a boycott of PSL until these sponsorships are revoked.

The Controversy:

• KFC (official snack partner) and Pepsi (Karachi Kings sponsor) are under fire for alleged ties to Israel.
• Social media is flooded with calls to boycott PSL, with fans arguing that entertainment should not overshadow solidarity with Palestine.
• The BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement has gained traction globally, pressuring companies linked to Israel.

Some argue that cricket and politics should remain separate, while others believe standing with oppressed Muslims is a moral obligation. What’s your take? Should PSL drop these sponsors, or is the boycott an overreaction?

This is a political topic and one whose answer will get me in or this forum in trouble.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

KFC & Pepsi are global multinational brands. A brand like Pepsi isn’t even truly American in the modern world. Every national subsidiary of Pepsi is literally an independent unit. Same with Unilever.

Actually i just recently learnt Bata was actually a multinational company. It’s a case study in itself, Bata goes to every country and integrates with the local culture so beautifully and seamlessly that many country’s people have for years lived under an illusion that Bata was their local brand.

This is is how true multinationals operate.

Pepsi & KFC aren’t providing ammunition to anyone. They just exist as it is in literally every country as their local most trusted brand of berverag, Burger etc.

It’s just a show of extreme jahalat on part of lower class Muslims in our part of the world.

Having said that I have no sympathy for KFC who have failed to maintain their original taste consistency across their outlets.

KFC in Pakistan is actually really good. And its something that resonates with people across social classes.

 

[RidiculousMan]

And its something that resonates with people across social classes.

Not true factually.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Not true factually.

On the basis of what statistics are you calling this a factual statement?

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Take the Indian approach. Boycott when it suits and bare teeth but stay silent when it doesn't. In this case why not take their money? Doesn't mean individuals who are watching PSL will be compelled to buy the product.

 

[RidiculousMan]

On the basis of what statistics are you calling this a factual statement?

Lets take the Zinger Burger scale.

On the fact that a Zinger Burger in KFC costs 600 Rs. This is much expensive than the usual range of most local chains and restaurants in Pakistan whose price for a Zinger Burger is around 400 Rs.

The lower classes can't afford and don't eat out at KFC or any other similar tiered restaurant in Pakistan.

 

[Bhaijaan]

KFC in Pakistan is actually really good. And its something that resonates with people across social classes.

I heard about that from travel vloggers. KFC started well in Bharat. But over the years they just kept on opening more stores without caring for consistency of services and taste. Today many KFC stores just don’t feel authentic.

Recently Popeye’s opened in Delhi and i am seeing the same issue with them. In just a matter of months their quality went down drastically.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Lets take the Zinger Burger scale.

On the fact that a Zinger Burger in KFC costs 600 Rs. This is much expensive than the usual range of most local chains and restaurants in Pakistan whose price for a Zinger Burger is around 400 Rs.

The lower classes can't afford and don't eat out at KFC or any other similar tiered restaurant in Pakistan.

You're missing the point. I'm not talking about people who can't afford this at all and are struggling to make ends meet. I'm talking about people who are from a lower social class and can perhaps only afford something like KFC once a month or very rarely.

 

[emranabbas]

if Pakistanis actually feel that these brands are supporting Palestine people genocide it is Pakistanis responsibility to boycott the brands and any organizations who support their brands

The only issue is this is all for likes views and attention online 2 months down the line these same people will be eating KFC value bucket a d drinking 1.5 litre Pepsi bottle

I have seen in it too many times in my lifetime

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I heard about that from travel vloggers. KFC started well in Bharat. But over the years they just kept on opening more stores without caring for consistency of services and taste. Today many KFC stores just don’t feel authentic.

Recently Popeye’s opened in Delhi and i am seeing the same issue with them. In just a matter of months their quality went down drastically.

That happened with Pizza Hut here. Unfortunately not all of the franchisers maintain the quality.

 

[Rana]

Ae Tair-e- La Huti Us Rizq se parwaz achi
Jis Riz se ati ho parwaz mai kotaahi

No problems for you when Babar and Rizwan enjoy Rizq of manipulating Pakistan cricket through their agency.

Iss munafiqat ki koi zaroorat nahi hamain.

 

[Rana]

Imagine being a nation that has no problem in slaughtering minorities, persecuting them and gagging their right to determine their identity…


But boycotting KFC and Pepsi lol

 

[Rana]

The last kind of nonsense I want to hear is hypocrites defining the definition of a pure word such as Rizq

That’s simply Allah’s domain.

Jis Ko deta hai
Jaise deta hai

Woh Sirf Us Zaat ka ikhtiyaar hai!

 

[Nabeel23]

Imagine being a nation that has no problem in slaughtering minorities, persecuting them and gagging their right to determine their identity…


But boycotting KFC and Pepsi lol

Gagging who exactly?

 

[Kianig89]

No problems for you when Babar and Rizwan enjoy Rizq of manipulating Pakistan cricket through their agency.

Iss munafiqat ki koi zaroorat nahi hamain.

Where did its mention, I want them to boycott KFC and other brands , just stating what Naqvi has portrayed by his antics, but you are one sussed person with a goof mentality

 

[The_KING]

Boycotts are a load of nonsense. If you want to boycott a product, go right ahead but don’t force others to boycott.

 

[Asad T]

Gaza aside -- I just hate these companies for giving diabetes to 25% of the adult population in Pakistan. These companies should be banned from sponsoring sporting events just for this.

 

[RidiculousMan]

You're missing the point. I'm not talking about people who can't afford this at all and are struggling to make ends meet. I'm talking about people who are from a lower social class and can perhaps only afford something like KFC once a month or very rarely.

They're not lower class then.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

They're not lower class then.

You don't have to be dirt poor to be from the lower class

 

[RidiculousMan]

You don't have to be dirt poor to be from the lower class

Whatever class you wanna name it. Point is since majority of Pakistanis don't eat KFC (since they can't afford). They cannot resonate that experience

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Whatever class you wanna name it. Point is since majority of Pakistanis don't eat KFC (since they can't afford). They cannot resonate that experience

You have no idea what I am talking about.

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

I heard about that from travel vloggers. KFC started well in Bharat. But over the years they just kept on opening more stores without caring for consistency of services and taste. Today many KFC stores just don’t feel authentic.

Recently Popeye’s opened in Delhi and i am seeing the same issue with them. In just a matter of months their quality went down drastically.

Popeye's initially was good but it has gone to crap, KFC quality has been down the drain. Thankfully some local names are coming up and picking the slack.

 

[Major]

Muslims and their lack of education is the reason why Muslim countries suffer.

We deserve this.

 

[Savak]

Lol at Multan Sultans giving money to Palestine when their sponsors are those organizations that are funding the atrocities in Palestine. Someone should confront Ali Tareen about his hypocrisy.

 

[G0rmintAunty]

Muslims and their lack of education is the reason why Muslim countries suffer.

We deserve this.

The psuedo propoganda filled quasi religious "education" they do get is even worse.

 

[PakFan2010]

It is strange that nobody seems to have a problem with the Chinese sponsors.

After all, how are China treating the Muslim Uyghurs?

The truth is people just want an excuse to hate Jewish people. There is definitely an irrational hatred of Jewish people in the Muslim population.

 

[Major]

Agreed Mohsin Naqvi being the Chairman PCB and and so close to the influencers in Pakistan should have had arranged for alternate sponsors.

Ae Tair-e- La Huti Us Rizq se parwaz achi
Jis Riz se ati ho parwaz mai kotaahi

Its easy to say such things on the internet, but if you have worked in a proper company you would know real life doesnt work like that.

When sponsorship deals are made, smaller companies that gives less funds make a deal of per season. Larger companies that have much larger marketing budget will make a deal for multiple years and give a bigger pay out and are likely to extend it with increments.

The reason why big corporates are able to afford long term sponsorship contracts is because they are able to take hits and than generate more revenue in the long run due to their presence globally. A consumer doesnt get to decide where a company should operate and where it shouldnt.

Kfc and pepsi have probably made 10+ year deals. If PCB or PSL decides to cancel that deal, PCB will be liable to pay 10× the amount. Just like how in reqo dik case, after arbitration we were required to pay 10x more amount than any amount generated.

In global world you cant predict who will offend who, and if you decide to do sponsor changes inbetween, you are running your own league into the gutter.

Pakistanis have issue with Shezad due to the owner being Ahmadi. They have issues with LU biscuit brand due to it being a French brand and france was supporting freedom of speech which included blasphemy. Now pakistanis have issue with pepsi and kfc for stupidest reasons.

If the list goes on, no one is gonna sponsor us for long periods and with good capital.

 

[Major]

Lol at Multan Sultans giving money to Palestine when their sponsors are those organizations that are funding the atrocities in Palestine. Someone should confront Ali Tareen about his hypocrisy.

Whats really disturbing is the fact you have worked your career in accounts and than making this post. KFC or Pepsi is not funding the atrocities. By that logic you are an American tax payer so you also fund atrocities in Palestine, so why dont you resign and move back to Pakistan.

Whats really disturbing about your accounting and finance career is that you dont know basic concepts that when it comes to ownership, hedge funds and investment managers invest the money of multiple people and nationalities in every public limited company. You really think their isnt some Israeli money invested in Pakistani public companies?

 

[topspin]

Lol at Multan Sultans giving money to Palestine when their sponsors are those organizations that are funding the atrocities in Palestine. Someone should confront Ali Tareen about his hypocrisy.

I don't even like Ali Tareen but sorry this is terrible logic. Major is bang on here.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

It is strange that nobody seems to have a problem with the Chinese sponsors.

After all, how are China treating the Muslim Uyghurs?

The truth is people just want an excuse to hate Jewish people. There is definitely an irrational hatred of Jewish people in the Muslim population.

Palestine issue aside, you always see Muslims have the most derogatory and bigoted things to say about Jews. And this is as true for people in South Asia as it is true for people in the Middle East and other Muslim-dominated countries. They can't draw the line between Zionism, the ideology and Judaism, the religion.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Whats really disturbing is the fact you have worked your career in accounts and than making this post. KFC or Pepsi is not funding the atrocities. By that logic you are an American tax payer so you also fund atrocities in Palestine, so why dont you resign and move back to Pakistan.

Whats really disturbing about your accounting and finance career is that you dont know basic concepts that when it comes to ownership, hedge funds and investment managers invest the money of multiple people and nationalities in every public limited company. You really think their isnt some Israeli money invested in Pakistani public companies?

You are a bigger offender if you are an American tax-payer because that money is going directly to military aid for Israel.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Gaza aside -- I just hate these companies for giving diabetes to 25% of the adult population in Pakistan. These companies should be banned from sponsoring sporting events just for this.

Ronaldo did it best

 

[Major]

Lets take the Zinger Burger scale.

On the fact that a Zinger Burger in KFC costs 600 Rs. This is much expensive than the usual range of most local chains and restaurants in Pakistan whose price for a Zinger Burger is around 400 Rs.

The lower classes can't afford and don't eat out at KFC or any other similar tiered restaurant in Pakistan.

Be thankful that Zinger cost Rs. 600.

Anything lower than that means dead chicken meat is being used as dead chicken meat is price very low.

In Pakistan KFC caters to all three classes. One of the reason behind KFCs success in Pakistan is that its a fastfood that sells international standard fastfood to all class at local pricing. Meanwhile McDonalds adopts an international pricing and people cant afford it.

Amongst all the international food chains in Pakistan, KFC is the cheapest.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Be thankful that Zinger cost Rs. 600.

Anything lower than that means dead chicken meat is being used as dead chicken meat is price very low.

What great logic!

 

[Major]

You're missing the point. I'm not talking about people who can't afford this at all and are struggling to make ends meet. I'm talking about people who are from a lower social class and can perhaps only afford something like KFC once a month or very rarely.

KFC is eaten by lower class, @RidiculousMan made an assumption.

I have done research on KFC for a University assignment. KFC's success has been the lower and middle class of Pakistan. The buying patterns are different. Upper class will order every 3-5 times a week. While lower class would treat it as a festive occasion, but the fact is they do eat it like once in a month. KFC opens its locations in most marketplace of Pakistan, while other upper class restaurants have to be careful.

The lower and middle class is very large in Pakistan, while upper class is very small

 

[Major]

What great logic!

Lower prices are maintain by dropping the quality. If chicken is price at 600 ruppees and someone is selling you a zinger at 200 rs than sir you are eating dead chicken meat.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

KFC is eaten by lower class, @RidiculousMan made an assumption.

I have done research on KFC for a University assignment. KFC's success has been the lower and middle class of Pakistan. The buying patterns are different. Upper class will order every 3-5 times a week. While lower class would treat it as a festive occasion, but the fact is they do eat it like once in a month. KFC opens its locations in most marketplace of Pakistan, while other upper class restaurants have to be careful.

The lower and middle class is very large in Pakistan, while upper class is very small

Good point. There are KFC locations in some very underdeveloped cities like Larkana, Muridke. You don't see this with other fast-food chains. You will also find a KFC at most Motorway stop-overs all over the country. It's easily the strongest foreign fast-food chain in Pakistan.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Lower prices are maintain by dropping the quality. If chicken is price at 600 ruppees and someone is selling you a zinger at 200 rs than sir you are eating dead chicken meat.

No. You're right.

If somebody's not eating KFC or higher tier restaurant chicken. They must be eating dead meat.

Also I suggest you to get a prescription of glasses. There's a difference between this '2' and this '4'.

 

[Major]

No. You're right.

If somebody's not eating KFC or higher tier restaurant chicken. They must be eating dead meat.

Also I suggest you to get a prescription of glasses. There's a difference between this '2' and this '4'.

next time dont about a country if you dont know anything about it.

 

[shah_1]

Cheezious is recent times has been popular than KFC in recent times in twin cities. They have taken full advantage of boycott.

I don’t understand this boycott. One uncle was advising me not to drink Pepsi but drink Cola Next instead. I hated the taste of the local brand .

You want to boycott, do it but don’t force it on others.

 

[NishanKonar]

KFC operates on franchisee model. Its domestic operations are handed by local companies & workers. Only people who will hurt will be fellow Pakistanis

KFC's revenues from Pakistan is probably a rounding error on its annual balance sheet but for thousands of poor Pakistani workers - its their only means to feed their families in an increasingly desperate economic situation

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

KFC operates on franchisee model. Its domestic operations are handed by local companies & workers. Only people who will hurt will be fellow Pakistanis

KFC's revenues from Pakistan is probably a rounding error on its annual balance sheet but for thousands of poor Pakistani workers - its their only means to feed their families in an increasingly desperate economic situation

All I read is just petty convenience trumping principles.
Plenty of keyboard warriors since Oct 2023 with loud noises about humanitarian crisis but cant even adjust to a slight change of taste in their junk food. Opposition to Israel is just the fashionable statement, fashion cannot be allowed to cause inconvenience.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

It seems like Kamran Ghulam is also supporting the boycott call against KFC as he hid it's logo on his Multan Sultans jersey with a piece of brown patch

View attachment Kamran Ghulam Boycotting KFC #HBLPSLX #ApnaXHai l #IUvPZ #UnitedWeWin #3xChampions #4TheDream ...mp4

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Boycott all American dollars also.. as they support Israel.