IPL Title Rights: BCCI outlines stringent conditions, may disallow Chinese brands

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is actively seeking a title sponsor for the IPL 2024 season and has outlined strict conditions for prospective bidders. Notably, the BCCI has said that it may not entertain bids from Chinese brands and companies, citing its reluctance to be associated with firms from countries that do not have friendly relations with India. The reservation price for the rights is INR 360 crore per year.

The specific countries or brands have not been mentioned explicitly. BCCI’s decision to block Chinese brands might be because of negative experience with Vivo, a Chinese smartphone maker. This situation takes place after the border differences between India and China. Subsequently, Vivo chose to exit from the 5-year sponsorship agreement, relinquishing the rights to the TATA group.

BCCI is also not accepting bids from companies associated with fantasy games, sportswear, and cryptocurrency, in addition to betting and gambling firms. They have mentioned the specific criteria for ineligibility that include companies that are directly or indirectly linked to gambling, betting, fantasy gaming, crypto, and alcohol products.

The BCCI unlikely to allow Chinese brands for IPL title sponsorship. (Cricbuzz). pic.twitter.com/XeNpe49ezg

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 26, 2023

The new title sponsor search arose as the previous deal with the Tata group concluded after the last season. The upcoming sponsorship agreement is 5 years, extending until 2028. The reserve price of Rs 360 crore aligns with the value the Tata Group had been paying for the preceding two seasons.