Reports: BCCI releases brand categories ineligible to bid for national team's lead sponsor rights

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday, June 14, invited bids from reputed entities for acquiring the national team's lead sponsor rights. However, it is understood that the BCCI has shut doors on certain brand categories that will not be able to place bids. 

It is worth mentioning that the apex cricket board invited tender for the national team’s lead sponsor rights after the exit of BYJU's in the last financial year. In 2019, the Bengaluru-based corporation was roped in as the team’s sponsor despite the former’s turbulent times economically, in a deal worth $35 million as per reports by The Times of India. 

However, the BCCI confirmed in their press release that certain brand categories, not meeting the requirements set out in the Invitation to Tender (ITT), cannot participate in the bidding process.

“Any interested party wishing to submit a bid is required to purchase the ITT. However, only those satisfying the eligibility criteria set out in the ITT and subject to the other terms and conditions set out therein, shall be eligible to bid,” read the press release.

“It is clarified that merely purchasing the ITT does not entitle any person to bid. The attention of the interested parties is brought to Annexure B which details certain brand categories in which the interested party cannot bid,” the BCCI added.

As per a report by the TOI, the apex cricket board listed down the categories which cannot bid for the national team's lead sponsor rights.

They are, (a) Athleisure and Sportswear Manufacturer; (b) Alcohol Products; (c) Betting; (d) cryptocurrency; (e) Real Money Gaming (Except Fantasy Sports Gaming); (f) Tobacco; (g) one which is likely to offend public morals such as, including but not limited to pornography.

Considering that the ODI World Cup is slated to begin in October, the BCCI will likely finalise the deal with a brand to get their names displayed on the front of the national team’s jersey. An official statement regarding the confirmation of the deal is expected to happen prior to the marquee event.