The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked for bids from well-known companies on June 14 for the rights to be the national team’s lead supporter. But people know that the BCCI has closed the door on some brand groups that won’t be able to bid.
After BYJU’s left in the last financial year, the top cricket board put out a call for bids for the lead sponsor rights of the national team. The Times of India says that the Bengaluru-based company sponsored the team in 2019 in a deal worth $35 million, even though the company was having trouble with its finances.
But the BCCI said in a press release that certain brand categories can’t bid because they don’t meet the standards listed in the Invitation to Tender (ITT).
“Anyone who wants to put in a bid must buy the ITT. “However, only those who meet the criteria listed in the ITT and agree to the other terms and conditions listed in the ITT will be able to bid,” said the press release.
“It is made clear that just buying the ITT doesn’t give anyone the right to bid. The BCCI also said, “The interested parties should look at Annexure B, which lists the brand categories in which the interested party cannot bid.”
According to a story by the TOI, the top cricket board made a list of the types of businesses that can’t bid for the lead sponsor rights for the national team.
They are: (a) Athleisure and Sportswear Manufacturer; (b) Alcohol Products; (c) Betting; (d) Cryptocurrency; (e) Real Money Gaming (except Fantasy Sports Gaming); (f) Tobacco; and (g) one that is likely to offend public values, such as, but not limited to, pornography.
Since the ODI World Cup is set to start in October, it’s possible that the BCCI will finish the deal with a brand to put their name on the front of the national team’s jersey. Before the big event, there will likely be a public statement about the deal’s confirmation.