Oppo Mobiles to replace Star India as India cricket team's sponsor

The contract with Star India ends on March 31 2017, after which Oppo will come aboard as the sponsor for the next five years, spending Rs 1,079 crore

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Mumbai | March 8, 2017

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced Oppo Mobiles India as the new sponsor of the Indian cricket team following a tender opening process in Mumbai. The Chinese mobile giant will be the new sponsor from April 1, 2017 till March 31, 2022.

Oppo will pay Rs 1,079 crore over the next five years for the 14 home series and 20 overseas series that will be played by team India during this time. This includes the ICC Champions Trophy, ICC Cricket World Cup and the World T20 events.

Star India had signed the partnership with Team India in December 2013, taking the baton from Sahara India that ended its 13-year relationship with Team India at that time. The first time when the jersey of Indian Cricket team carried Star India logo was when the team was visiting New Zealand in January 2014.  The brand will be displayed on the team's jersey for the last time during the on-going India-Australia tour. It was around December 2016 when Star India expressed its intention of not continuing with Team India's sponsorship.

Oppo will appear on the Team jersey for the first time during the Champions Trophy that will take place in June 2017.

At the bid opening process, CoA representative, Diana Edulji, BCCI officials and the bidders were present at the BCCI headquarters on March 7.

Rahul Johri

Rahul Johri, CEO, BCCI said, “On behalf of the BCCI, I would like to congratulate Oppo Mobiles India on winning the rights and welcome them to the BCCI family. Oppo today joins our other prominent sponsors like PayTM, PepsiCo, Hyundai and Janalakshmi Financial Services. Oppo Mobiles and the BCCI share a common vision and I am confident that we will work together to further grow Indian cricket.”

At present, Star India owns the rights till March 31. Star India is paying Rs 1.92 crore for all bilateral matches and Rs 61 lakh for ICC games, whereas Oppo will be paying Rs 4.17 crore per bilateral match (match between two countries) and Rs 1.51 crore for ICC matches.

Nine companies picked up the tender document, only two companies submitted their bids. Vivo, the second bidder, bid for Rs 768 crore.

Sky Lee, Global VP and President, Oppo Mobiles India, said, “Cricket in India isn't just a sport, it is also a way of life, a culture, even a religion. Oppo is the most adorable youth-centralised brand. We aim at reaching new heights along with the Indian cricket team. As a smartphone brand, Oppo has become a favourite brand among the youth. Today over 100 million young people across the world are using Oppo camera phones. In India also we have been growing fast. According to GFK (Gesellschaft für Konsumforschung (Society for Consumer Research)) data, in terms of sales units, we grew from 1.2 per cent in December 2015 to 11.7 per cent in January 2017, and loved by Indian youngsters as well.”

The BCCI had set a base price of Rs 2.2 crore for all bilateral matches and Rs 70 lakh for every ICC tournament match where India features in till March 2022. The base price is 15 per cent higher than what Star India is currently playing.

In five years starting April, team India is expected to play 259 matches, including 238 bilateral matches and 21 across ICC tournaments -- ICC Champions Trophy in June 2017, 2019 ICC World Cup, 2020 ICC World T20, and 2021 ICC Champions Trophy.

Info@BestMediaInfo.com

Info@BestMediaInfo.com