India to play Asia Cup without shirt sponsor as the BCCI began its search for a new team sponsor on Tuesday.
India likely to play Asia Cup without team sponsor.
After Dream 11 withdrew from its deal with the BCCI last month, India is probably going to play the 2019 Asia Cup without a primary sponsor.
The BCCI issued an invitation for expressions of interest for the national team’s main sponsorship rights on September 2, starting the process of finding a new sponsor. Interested parties have until September 12 to acquire the expression of interest, and until September 16 to place a bid. September 9 marks the start of the Asia Cup, which ends on September 28.
Why did Dream 11 pull out?
Since real-money gaming, Dream 11’s primary business, was outlawed by the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Law signed by the Indian government last month, a new team sponsor was required. Dream 11 informed the BCCI that it would have to terminate its contract, which included an escape clause to accommodate such government rules, as a result of that development. Dream XI’s deal, which was valued at USD 44 million (about INR 358 crore), lasted until 2026.
Following the incumbent’s earlier mid-contract withdrawal, the BCCI is now faced with the difficulty of locating a new lead sponsor. The most recent example occurred in 2019, when OPPO, a mobile business, withdrew three years before to the expiration of its contract.
The search for a new sponsor
In its invitation for expressions for interest for a new team sponsor, the BCCI specified that alcohol brands, betting or gambling services, cryptocurrency, online money gaming, tobacco brands, or any product or service likely to “offend public morals such as, including but not limited to, pornography” were not eligible to submit a bid.
The Indian team is scheduled to leave on September 4 for the United Arab Emirates, where they are grouped with Oman, Pakistan and UAE in Group A of the tournament. They play UAE and Pakistan in Dubai on September 10 and 14, and then play Oman in Abu Dhabi on September 19.
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka make up Group B. The teams that place first and second in that round will compete in the final on September 28. The top two teams from each group advance to the Super Four stage.