Dream11 – fulfilling dreams of the IPL 2020

Dream 11 bags Title sponsorship for IPL 2020!

Indian Premier League being the biggest cricket premier league around the world, catches attention of all the entertainment broadcasters and brands for marketing. Consecutively, audience show eagerness to know the sponsors and partners of IPL 2020.

Picture courtesy : Deccan Herald

After the outbreak of novel coronavirus and anti-China sentiments prevailed in India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended the title sponsorship of IPL 2020 from the Chinese tech-giant VIVO. After this, it became very difficult for sponsors to come on board majorly because there shall be no spectators on the stands so no revenue will be generated from tickets sales.

Fantasy gaming platform Dream11 is the proud title sponsor for the IPL this season. Dream11 (Sports Technologies Pvt. Ltd.) is an Indian company with its headquarters in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Journey of Dream11

Picture courtesy : News18

Why VIVO is not a tittle sponsor of IPL 2020?

Vivo Communication Technology Pvt. Ltd. popularly known as Vivo is a Chinese company that designs and develops smartphones, smartphone accessories, and online services. Vivo had signed a five year deal (2018-2022) with IPL of Rs.440 crore per year.

Due to Galwan stand–off between Indian and Chinese troops, Indian Government decided to ban many Chinese manufacturing products and to promote local, Indian products in the market. This led BCCI take away the sponsorship rights from Vivo this year. Another reason is the economic crisis caused by the havoc of Covid–19 pandemic, leading Vivo to negotiate the sponsoring amount with the BCCI.

However, BCCI was confident to have another title sponsor on board for this year’s IPL edition.

“Suspension of IPL title sponsorship with VIVO just a blip, not a financial crisis.” – Sourav Ganguly, BCCI President

Sourav Ganguly in one of the board meetings.

Picture courtesy: The Week

Before finalizing Dream11, some of the Indian contenders for the title sponsorship of IPL 2020 were:

• Patanjali – Our very own Yoga guru, social activist and business tycoon Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali is one of the Indian brands which earlier showed keen interest in sponsoring the IPL 2020.

“We are considering the IPL title sponsorship for this year since we want to give the Patanjali brand a global marketing platform.” a spokesperson, Patanjali

• Unacademy – The online education technology company Unacademy was also looking for the title sponsorship rights of IPL 2020. The company has 100% Indian investment and is already a part of the official partners line-up of IPL.

• Amazon – Amazon is one of the biggest e-commerce giants in the world, as well as in India. Amazon’s aim was not publicity but the need to be in competition with its rivals ranging from Flipkart to Jio in the Indian market.

• Paytm – The digital wallet service provider Paytm is also a part of the official sponsor panel of IPL. They were planning to get onboard as a title sponsor of IPL this year.

Contenders for sponsorship title for IPL 2020.

Picture courtesy : The Week

Owners and Sponsors of IPL teams:

• Delhi Capitals (DC) – Delhi Capital is owned by GM Rao-owned GMR Group. The team’s principal sponsors include JSW Groups, Ebix Cash and Lotus Herbals.

• Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) – Under the banner of ‘KPH Dream Cricket Private Limited’, the franchise is jointly owned by Bollywood actress Priety Zinta, Ness Wadia (Wadia Group), Mohit Burman (Dabur India Ltd.), The Oberoi Group and Karan Paul (Apeejay Surrendra Group).The title sponsor of Kings XI Punjab is Ebix Cash.

• Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – The two-time champions team KKR is owned by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan (under the banner Red Chillies Entertainment) and Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla & her husband Jay Mehta (under the banner of Mehta Group). The principal sponsor of KKR is Mobile Premier League (MPL).

• Rajasthan Royals (RR) – Winners of the inaugural season in 2008, the Royals are jointly owned by Amisha Hathiramani, Manoj Badale, Lachlan Murdoch, Ryan Tkalcevic and Australian cricketer
Shane Warne who was also a part of the RR squad in the first few years of the IPL. Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra owned RR with her husband Raj Kundra from 2009 to 2015. Raj was banned in 2015 by the Supreme Court of Indian after spot-fixing case in a match against Chennai Super Kings. Rajasthan Royals’ kit manufacturers and other sponsors are Alcis Sports, TV9 Bharatvarsh and a sanitary napkins brand by the name of Niine.

Picture courtesy : Amar Ujala

• Mumbai Indians (MI) – Mumbai Indians, 4 time title winners, is owned by India’s biggest conglomerate Reliance Industries of business tycoon Mukesh Ambani. The team is managed by his wife Neeta Ambani. Mumbai Indian’s principal sponsors are Samsung and Colors.

• Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – The team is owned by media baron Kalanithi Maran of the Sun TV Network. With JK Laxmi Cement as the title sponsor, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s principal sponsors are Ralco Typres, Jio, TCL, Valvoline, Dream11 and Nerolac.

• Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – Bought by Vijay Mallya in 2008, RCB is now solely owned by Indian alcoholic beverage company United Spirits and is named under its brand Royal Challenge. RCB’s principal sponsor is Muthoot Fincorp.

• Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – The 3-time Champions team was initially owned by former BCCI president N. Srinivasan by means of his position as vice-chairman and managing director of India Cements Ltd. In January ’15, the Supreme Court of India made an amendment in the BCCI’s constitutional clause which disallows board officials to have commercial interests in IPL and Champions League T20. After which, the franchise is now completely owned by a separate company known as Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd. CSK’s principal sponsors for this year are Muthoot Group of Finance, India Cements, Gulf Oil, Nippon Paint, Clear Anti-dandruff shampoo and Jio Digital Life.

Suresh Raina from Chennai Super Kings playing against Delhi Capitals in a match from Vivo IPL 2019

Picture courtesy : Instagram/@iplt20

IPL is one of the biggest cricket league in the world and it is every company’s dream to invest in it. This time due to the suspension of Vivo as the title sponsor, Dream11 has taken a surprise entry to become the new title sponsor of IPL 2020. We are all curious to know if Vivo will make a comeback next year or Dream11 will continue its dream sponsorship rights or we will have a new partner on board. But for now, let’s catch up with all the cricketing action starting in about a week!

Stay tuned for all the fun!