INDIA CRICKET
BCCI’s strict eligibility norms exclude gaming, betting, crypto, and several other sectors from applying. © Getty
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has floated a tender for the jersey sponsorship of the Indian team. It was a much-awaited decision from the BCCI as it has lost the lead sponsor of the national team, Dream11, following the government’s ban on real money gaming companies under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.
The BCCI has made it clear that gaming, betting, crypto and tobacco companies will not be eligible to bid. Athleisure and sportswear manufacturers, banking, financial companies, non-alcoholic cold beverages, fans, mixer grinders, safety locks and insurance companies will also not be eligible since they could be in conflict with the existing sponsors of the BCCI.
BCCI has also made it clear that surrogate brands will not be permitted. Says the relevant clause in Tuesday’s media release, “Bidders are prohibited from submitting bids through surrogate brands. Surrogate branding refers to any attempt to indirectly submit a bid on behalf of a different entity or Person through the use of a different entity or person. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of different names, brands, identity or logos.”
To be eligible to bid, interested companies must have a net worth or average turnover of INR 300,00,00,000 (or INR 300 crore). “The Board of Control for Cricket in India (“BCCI”) invites bids from reputed entities for acquiring the National Team Lead Sponsor Rights. Accordingly, the BCCI is issuing an Invitation for Expression of Interest for National Team Lead Sponsor Rights (“IEOI”), which provides the detailed terms and conditions governing the submission and evaluation of bids.”
The last date for the purchase of IEOI is September 12. The bidding may be on September 16 which means the Indian team will be without a jersey sponsor for the upcoming Asia Cup, which will be played from September 9 to 28.
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