BCCI invites Expression of Interest for IPL Partner rights

The IPL governing body and the BCCI are getting ready for the marquee edition of the IPL, with the initial 10-year contract ending last season. And along with it, fans and the organising committee would be welcoming CSK and RR back into the IPL after the two year ban that the two franchises had received.

With the Player retentions already sorted, the IPL governing body and the franchises will now turn to the mega player auctions, which is scheduled to take place on the 27th and 28th of January in Bengaluru.

But before the mega event, BCCI and the IPL governing body want to get all the sponsors and partners in place.

Last year, IPL sold its broadcast rights to Star Sports in a record deal after being with Sony for the last 10 years.

In a media release today, the BCCI has invited ‘expressions of interest’ for the IPL partner rights. The agreement would be for a 3 year period.

“The BCCI invites third parties to indicate their interest in acquiring any of the following rights: IPL Official Partner Rights, IPL Strategic Time Out Partner Rights and IPL Umpire Partner Rights,” the media release read.

“No more than one third party will be granted rights in relation to each Product Category,” it also said.

“The Board intends (but shall not be obliged) to appoint up to a maximum of six Official Partners, one Strategic Timeout Partner and one Umpire Partner” the media release added.

With VIVO having already bagged the rights for being the Title sponsors, it would be interesting to see which other brands try and leverage the popularity of the IPL.

The IPL is scheduled to begin on the 4th of April, with Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings locking horns at the iconic Wankhede stadium.