Indian Premier League Title Sponsors: From DLF to VIVO a Look into Brands Who Bagged IPL Title Rights Over The Seasons
Vivo India has retained the title sponsorship rights for Rs 2,199 crore from 2018-2022
Season 11 of the biggest cricketing tournament Indian Premier League (IPL) is scheduled to start from next month. This year, Star India bagged the global media rights for the game for an estimated Rs 16,348 crore bid for five seasons (2018-22). Along with the broadcasting rights, the channel also has the digital rights. As per reports, earlier there was a five-minutes delayed feed on Hotstar compared to TV, but for the first time, there will be IPL live on the internet. By acquiring the broadcast rights, Star Plus has unseated their arch rival Sony Pictures Network, which held on to the rights since the last 10 years. Reportedly, it is one of the most expensive deals in cricket broadcasting history.
The Chinese handset manufacturer Vivo India has retained the IPL title rights till 2022. It has acquired the rights for 2,199 crore, which translates to roughly Rs 440 crores per year being added to the BCCI coffers. Vivo came into the picture in 2016, after PepsiCo's sudden withdrawal of their 5-year contract. Latestly takes a look at the title sponsors of the tournament ever since its inception.
2008-2012: DLF
In the first season of IPL, DLF won the title sponsor rights for the tournament. As per reports, DLF paid Rs 200 crore for the five year period.
2013-2015: Pepsi
With DLF ending their association with IPL, Pepsi became the title sponsor of the tournament, with a winning bid of Rs 396.8 crores for the five year period. However, the soft drink brand in 2015, decided to pull out of IPL sponsorship, owing to negative image of brand IPL and due to ‘dipping’ foreign interest. According to reports, Pepsi withdrew from the title sponsorship deal because of 2013 spot-fixing scandal which tarnished IPL’s image.
2016-2017: Vivo India
After PepsiCo’s sudden exit, Chinese handset manufacturer Vivo Mobiles became the title sponsor of IPL for Rs 200 crore over a 2 year period.
2018-2022: Vivo India
For the current IPL season, Vivo India has retained the title sponsorship rights for Rs 2,199 crore from 2018-2022. According to reports, there has been an increase of 554 percent compared to the last contract.
Even though, IPL still continues to be one of the most commercially successful cricket tournament, the viewership and interest from the advertisers have plummeted over the years. So is IPL losing its zing? But, considering India being a cricket frenzy nation, we are sure, the cricket tournament will continue to enthrall the audience.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 13, 2018 04:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).