Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) co-owner Ness Wadia has already called the upcoming IPL 2020 edition as the best ever in the history of the league and called for more focus on complying with the BCCI SOPs.
Though the BCCI has not confirmed that Chinese mobile phone maker Vivo has pulled out of title sponsorship for this season, it is likely that the company will back out from the Rs 440 crore per year contract at least this season given the soaring Sino-India diplomatic tensions.
However, Wadia feels that instead of focusing on that issue and trying to find a new sponsor, all focus must be on strictly following the guidelines because he feels even a single case of COVID-19 positive may kill the whole tournament.
"There is much speculation going on. I think it is ridiculous. The only thing we (team owners) know is that the IPL is happening. We are very concerned about the safety of the players and all others involved. Even if there is one case, the IPL could be doomed," Wadia told PTI after the owners' meeting on Wednesday evening.
IPL 2020: “Want daily COVID-19 testing for players,” KXIP co-owner Ness Wadia
"I don't know what the BCCI has decided on title sponsorship. All the team owners had a productive meeting and are on the same page to make IPL a success. We need to support the BCCI and will be meeting again soon," he said.
Wadia expects the sponsors, whether the team or IPL, to negotiate hard, given the current market situation.
"All the sponsors are going to negotiate hard but I will change my name if it is not the most-watched IPL ever. It will be the best ever IPL. You mark my words. Sponsors would be foolish not to be part of IPL this year. It would be a wrong commercial decision on their part to not be a part of the IPL. I truly believe that if I was a sponsor, I would jump right in,” Wadia said.
BCCI issued a 16-page SOP to the franchises which includes mandatory steps like players, support staff, team officials, and owners to be part of a bio-secure environment. Wadia will not travel to the UAE but says there cannot be any compromise with the safety of players.
“We have to adjust and acclimatize to the (bio-secure) environment. One case could kill the IPL. Extraneous circumstances require ordinary people to do extraordinary things," he added.
(PTI inputs)
