Talks underway for BCCI title sponsor; tyre, paint, & apparel brands in no-go categories

More than two weeks past the deadline, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to find a title sponsor for India’s games. As previously reported by Cricbuzz on August 22, the BCCI is believed to be directly negotiating with the potential parties, including with brands like Google Gemini, SBI Life, IDFC First Bank and even Spinny.

While these negotiations are underway, the BCCI has made it clear that some brands — mainly tyre, paint and sports apparel companies — cannot bid to become title sponsors of Indian cricket in this cycle. These brands are, in addition to the regular no-go categories such as tobacco, liquor, fantasy gaming and gambling.

In the ITT, sold to the parties, this is clearly mentioned, “Bidders operating/ engaged directly or indirectly in the tyres, tubes and flaps industry. For the avoidance of doubt, a Bidder, including any of its Group Companies, engaged in or operating in the business of manufacturing, marketing, distributing or selling tyres, tubes and flaps, shall not be permitted to submit a Bid.”

Besides, the BCCI further says, “Bidders operating/ engaged directly or indirectly in athleisure wear, performance wear, and sports merchandise and equipment. (f) Bidders operating/ engaged directly or indirectly in paints, waterproofing and wallpapers are not permitted to submit a Bid.”

These clauses are evidently intended to protect the rights of existing sponsors such as Apollo Tyres (the Indian team’s lead jersey sponsor), Adidas (the Indian team’s kit sponsor) and Asian Paints (BCCI’s Associate Partner). This effectively means MRF, CEAT, Berger Paints, JSW Paints, Nike, Puma and Decathlon cannot bid for the rights. This is not to say that any of these brands had shown interest, or there is any such information, but the ITT pre-empts their participation.

The following are some other noteworthy points in the ITT.

Total number of matches

For tendering purposes only, and without constituting any representation, warranty, commitment or minimum guarantee by BCCI, BCCI presently expects that it may host approximately 35 (thirty-five) Chargeable Matches during the Rights Period, subject always to the final schedule determined by the BCCI in its sole and absolute discretion.

Chargeable Match

Chargeable Match will include the International Matches played in an International Series/Events by the India Senior Men’s National Team and exclude (i) any Domestic Matches in a Domestic Series/Events; and (ii) any other Match forming part of ACC Events, ICC Events, and (iii) any international Match played by the India senior women’s national team.

Reserve Price

The reserve price for the Rights for each Chargeable Match during the Rights Period is as follows: INR 4,85,00,000 (Indian Rupees Four Crores Eighty Five Lakhs only) per Chargeable Match.

Identity of Bidders

It is expressly clarified, for the avoidance of any doubt, that no Bids from any individual, unincorporated entity, consortia, joint ventures or joint bidders, will be accepted or considered for the purpose of this ITT.

Bidder’s Financial Standings

The average Turnover of each Bidder for the last 3 (three) years must be at least INR 100 Crores (Indian Rupees One Hundred Crores only) as per the last 3 (three) audited accounts. Or The average Net Worth of each Bidder for the last 3 (three) years must be at least INR 100 Crores (Indian Rupees One Hundred Crores only) as per the last 3 (three) audited accounts.

Bidder’s Financial Standing

The average Turnover of each Bidder for the last 3 (three) years must be at least INR 100

Crores (Indian Rupees One Hundred Crores only) as per the last 3 (three) audited accounts. Or the average Net Worth of each Bidder for the last 3 (three) years must be at least INR 100 Crores (Indian Rupees One Hundred Crores only) as per the last 3 (three) audited accounts.

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