BCCI Title Sponsor: Mastercard exits, BCCI releases tender for Title Sponsorship

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is in the middle of multiple negotiations. After the jersey and India Cricket team sponsor, the BCCI title sponsorship tender is out. The deal with Mastercard ends in September and ahead of the IND vs AUS series at home and domestic season, BCCI will look to rope in a new sponsor. Deodhar Trophy will be the last tournament under the Mastercard deal. It should be noted that Mastercard took over the existing deal from PayTM after the fin-tech company exited the deal.

The last date to purchase the Invitation to Tender document is August 21. The entire process will be finalised by September 15. IND vs AUS ODI series starts on September 22.

In September last year, Mastercard replaced PayTM as the title sponsor for the remaining period of the deal.

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PayTM came on board in 2015 and paid Rs 2.4 Cr per game. The deal was renewed in 2019 for Rs 3.8 Cr per game. But in September, PayTM requested to end the deal with a year left. BCCI roped in Mastercard for a year.

However, even though BCCI continued their search for a replacement, the Indian board did not find many suitors. The big companies were more interested in IPL (Indian Premier League) than in Indian Bilateral Rights.

The lack of response from corporate houses has forced the BCCI to reduce the price to Rs 3 Cr per game as per Money Control. The reason for lack of response is due to lack of further business. An airline company can be Indian cricket’s official carrier or a hotel chain for lodging.

“Why would anyone want to replace Mastercard in the current circumstances unless the BCCI is offering something more than just branding? Some engagement with men’s or women’s cricket every few days a year, engagements that can help drive business. Basically, something more than just branding,” Money Control quoted an Industry source.

BCCI Title Sponsorship Tender Details:

The BCCI invites bids from reputed entities for acquiring the Title Sponsor Rights.

The detailed terms and conditions governing the tender process including eligibility requirements, process for submissions of bids, rights and obligations, etc. are contained in the ‘Invitation to Tender’ (“ITT”) which will be made available on receipt of payment of a non-refundable fee of INR 1,00,000 (Indian Rupees One Lakh Only) plus any applicable Goods and Services Tax. The procedure to procure the ITT documents is enlisted in Annexure A to this notice. The ITT will be available for purchase till August 21, 2023.

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Interested parties are requested to email the details of payment made for the purchase of the ITT to titlesponsor.itt@bcci.tv, as per the procedure laid down in Annexure A. It is clarified that the ITT documents shall be shared only upon the confirmation of payment of the non-refundable ITT fee.

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. It is clarified that merely purchasing the ITT does not entitle any person to bid.

BCCI reserves the right to cancel or amend the bidding process at any stage in any manner without providing any reason.

Cricket