Sachin Tendulkar settles lawsuit with Spartan, bat-manufacturer apologises

Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian cricketer, and Spartans Sports Group, a bat manufacturing company, has settled a lawsuit over payment disputes in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. Back in June 2019, the Master Blaster had filed a US$ 2 million lawsuit against Spartan and its directors after being forced to take the legal path to recover his dues.

Last year, Sachin’s lawyers said that the veteran took the decision after the bat-manufacturing company failed to pay him a contracted sum under an exclusive licensing agreement. In 2016, the 46-year-old Tendulkar had entered into an agreement with Spartans to promote the company’s sporting goods and sportswear.

“Mr Tendulkar has settled his law suit in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia with Australian bat maker, the Spartan Sports group of companies and its directors,” the sports company was quoted as saying in a statement, reported by The Times of India (TOI).

“In 2016, Mr Tendulkar entered into a worldwide exclusive sponsorship agreement with one of the Spartan companies to promote Spartan’s sporting goods and sportswear,” the statement mentioned.

“Mr Tendulkar alleged that the Spartan company failed to comply with its obligations under the agreement by failing to pay him royalties and endorsement fees as per the agreement signed by both parties and continued to use his name and image even after terminating the agreement.”

Spartans issues an apology to Sachin Tendulkar

Les Galbraith, on the behalf of Spartans, apologised to Sachin for not being able to full the terms of the agreement. Spartan sincerely apologises to Mr Tendulkar for its failure to honour his sponsorship agreement and is grateful for Mr Tendulkar’s patience in resolving this dispute,” the statement added.

In the court, Spartans admitted that the retired batsman helped with promotional services at Spartans event in London and Mumbai. He also promoted the ‘Sachin by Spartan’ line of products. During his agreement with them, Sachin was unable to take up any other opportunities with sporting goods.

Mrinmoy Mukherjee, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tendulkar’s management team, SRT Sports Management (SRTSM) said that Sachin is glad to have come out of the dispute. Sachin’s lawyer Siabon Seet said that the legend is entitled to the protection of his name against false endorsement.