Chinese brands won’t likely be permitted by BCCI IPL 2024 Chinese Brands Sponsorship

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which is seeking a title sponsor for the Indian Premier League (IPL), has set stringent requirements for prospective bidders. The BCCI has made it clear that it is unwilling to work with Chinese businesses or brands. A substantial reserve fee of INR 360 crore is required annually for the sponsorship rights.

Why is China being treated so poorly? It appears that the BCCI has taken a lesson from an unpleasant experience with Vivo, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer, according to an article in Cricbuzz. Vivo made the decision to politely end its five-year sponsorship agreement during the deadlock at the China-India border, giving the Tata Group full control.

But China isn’t the only country being shunned. The businesses that are involved in sportswear, cryptocurrencies, and fantasy games are playing hard to get by with the BCCI.

According to Cricbuzz, a crucial section of the Invitation to Tender (ITT) document states unequivocally that “Each bidder which is a corporate entity must not be incorporated in a jurisdiction/territorial with which India does not have a friendly relation.”

The requirements are a long list of things that are not acceptable. One is eliminated from the competition if they are interested in sportswear manufacturing, cryptocurrency trading, or gambling and betting. This applies even to businesses that operate out of tax havens such as Mauritius and the British Virgin Islands.

“Bidders operating/engaged directly or indirectly in athleisure, performance wear, and sportswear will not be eligible” , according to the ITT.

After the most recent season, the previous agreement with the Tata Group came to an end, necessitating the search for a new title sponsor. A five-year commitment is sought by the BCCI, and the reserve fee is indicative of what the Tata Group was paying for the previous two seasons.

The crucial query, though, is: Is anyone interested? The field hasn’t exactly taken off after receiving the sponsorship tender’s initial answers. However, until January 8, prospective sponsors can still obtain the Invitation to Tender (ITT) document. It is anticipated that the bidding war would start on January 13 or 14.

The following conditions must be met in order for a bidder and their Group companies to be excluded:

(a) they cannot participate in the bidding process; (b) they cannot offer betting, gambling, or related services to individuals in India; (c) they cannot participate in or own any stake in businesses that offer betting or gambling services in India.

(b) Bidders shall not engage directly or indirectly in the trading, exchange, or other related activities of cryptocurrency tokens, nor shall they permit their Group companies to do so.

(c) Bidders who are involved in more than one brand or project category—such as those involving tobacco or alcohol products—are not permitted to submit a bid for the forbidden brand categories. They are free to submit a bid for any other brand category that isn’t forbidden, though.

(d) Bidders who are directly or indirectly involved in fantasy gaming, along with their Group companies, are not permitted to participate in the bidding process. This covers participation in or operation of the fantasy sports gaming industry.

(e) Those who place a bid and are connected in any way to sportswear, performance wear, or athleisure are not eligible to continue.

(f) It is completely forbidden for bidders to use surrogate brands to make bids. This ban includes any attempt to obliquely submit a bid using fictitious names, brand identities, or trademarks on behalf of another organization or individual.