On Tuesday, the Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Brijesh Patel confirmed that TATA would replace VIVO as the title sponsor for the upcoming season of the multi-team tournament.
“This is indeed a momentous occasion for the BCCI IPL as the Tata Group is the epitome of global Indian enterprise with an over 100 year old legacy and operations in more than 100 countries across six continents. The BCCI like the TATA Group is keen to promote the spirit of cricket across international borders and the growing popularity of the IPL as a global sporting franchise, bears testimony to the BCCI’s efforts. We are truly happy that India’s largest and most trusted business groups has believed in the IPL growth story and together with the Tata Group, we will look to take Indian cricket and the IPL forward to greater heights,” the IPL chairman was quoted as saying to PTI.
VIVO had a signed deal of Rs 2200 crore for title sponsorship rights from 2018-2022, but after the 2020 Galwan Valley military face-off between the Indian and Chinese Army soldiers, the brand took a break for a year, with Dream11 replacing it in the IPL. However, VIVO was back as an IPL title sponsor in 2021.
There are also reports that the BCCI will not lose any money as it is still assured of an annual sponsorship sum of Rs 440 crore, which will now be paid by the TATA Group.
Due to rising cases of COVID-19 and a new strain of omicron, the threat looms large over the forthcoming season’s plausible match dates and venues.
Meanwhile, the two new franchises, Ahmedabad and Lucknow, has been given January 31 as the last date to sign their players ahead of the mega auction. A formal letter regarding the same was also dispatched to both the franchises last week.
