IPL 2020: BCCI in Trouble, After VIVO Exit, Calls to Drop PayTM, Byju’s & Dream11 Grow: Report
Calls are now being made to drop sponsors who have any Chinese links.
RSS affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) will start a ‘Quit China’ movement from today and will protest against IPL sponsors with the Chinese connect.
According to a report by Outlook, BCCI will be among the main ‘targets’ for the SJM unit. Dhananjay Bhide, a senior office-bearer of the Manch, told Outlook that the campaign is an attempt to add muscle to the concept of an ‘Atamnirbhar Bharat’ and drive a strong message to agents who continue to tow the Chinese line despite government appeals.
“Cricket has to choose between a self-reliant India and sponsors with Chinese money,” said Bhide.
BCCI has set a criteria for the IPL title sponsorship, bidders need to have an annual turnover of INR 300 crore, BCCI press release stated. With last date to make a bid is set 14th august and the winning bid to be announced on 18th august, it will be interesting to see which giant will grab this opportunity,
IPL 2020 Title Sponsorship: Tata Sons frontrunners to replace VIVO
The BCCI is likely to announce the name of IPL’s new title sponsor for the 2020 season today. As per reports, Tata sons is leading the race ahead of Byju’s, Unaademy and Reliance Jio.
While educational platforms Byju’s and Unacademy are willing to pay more money, Tata Sons are the favorites to bag the sponsorship as it is solely an Indian brand.
Dream 11 have won the title rights for IPL 2020. The online fantasy sports company won the bid after bidding Rs 222 crores.
Dream 11 beat bids from Byju’s and Unacademy to win the rights, which are for only the upcoming season of the IPL, running from August 18 to December 31, 2020.
Interestingly, Dream11 too has Chinese connection!
Dream11 has Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd as one of its financial backers. Last year, it became India’s first gaming startup to be valued at over $1 billion. And the BCCI is stressing on the fact that Dream11 is an Indian company.
The current anti-China sentiment in the country may have been cited as the reason for mobile phone manufacturer Vivo and the cricket board suspending their sponsorship contract, but legally that argument does not have a firm footing. Instead, the pandemic-induced change in venue and timelines would have more likely provided a backdrop for mutually agreeing to implement a one-year moratorium, according to legal experts.
The Indian Premier League chairman Brijesh Patel on Thursday confirmed that Vivo has returned as title sponsor for the T20 tournament this year after staying away last year.
“Vivo is back as the sponsor this year,” Patel said prior to the IPL auction today.
Dream11 had stepped in last year as title sponsors.
