Aditya Birla Group (ABG) has intensified competition for the title rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Aditya Birla Group has reportedly proposed an annual offer of Rs. 500 crore for title rights over the next five years, totaling Rs. 2500 crores.
The BCCI has fixed an annual fee of Rs. 350 crore for IPL title sponsorship rights. Tata Sons had previously paid Rs. 670 crore for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. There are plans to increase the number of matches to 84 in 2025 and 2026, and to 94 in 2027.
Aditya Birla Group shows interest in IPL title sponsorship
As per the rules set by the BCCI, Tata Group has the primary right of refusal but must match the highest bid to secure the IPL title rights. The deadline for submitting offers ended at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, after the tender was issued on December 12, 2023.
As reported by the Times of India, Aditya Birla Group chose not to comment on the IPL title rights issue and expressed its intention to assess the situation. In response, a Tata Group executive mentioned, “We will evaluate the IPL rights issue.”
Despite the 2024 general elections, the IPL will reportedly take place as planned. Notably, the first half of the 2014 IPL took place in the United Arab Emirates. In 2009, the entire season was held in South Africa due to scheduling issues.
Fantasy gaming companies banned from IPL title sponsorship
The BCCI has excluded fantasy gaming companies from bidding for the title sponsorship of IPL 2024. Furthermore, the BCCI has hinted that it will refrain from receiving bids from Chinese companies or brands due to diplomatic considerations.
“Although no specific countries or brands have been explicitly mentioned, the BCCI’s decision stems from public reaction and a negative experience with Vivo, a Chinese smartphone maker. This situation arose as a result of the border clash between India and China. Subsequently, Vivo opted to exit the five-year sponsorship deal, giving up the rights to the Tata Group,” Cricbuzz quotes.
A crucial clause in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) reads: “Each bidder which is a corporate entity must not be incorporated in a jurisdiction/territory with which India does not have a friendly relationship. In the event that any company which is a shareholder or proposed shareholder of the Bidder is incorporated in a jurisdiction/territory with which India does not have friendly relations, the Bidder shall provide a detailed schedule of shareholding in such Bidder or its ultimate Parent Company and details of the beneficial owners/beneficiaries of all shareholders who are legal entities in such Bidder or its ultimate Parent Company along with the Bid Documents as material obligations.”
The report further added that the second edition of the Women’s Premier League will begin in Bengaluru before moving to Delhi. WPL 2024 is scheduled to begin in late February and conclude in mid-March. The inaugural tournament was held at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium and Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium last March.
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