Internationally recognized multi-national conglomerate company Tata Group has entered the race to become the Indian Premier League (IPL) title sponsor for the upcoming season. Ever since Vivo decided to step back from sponsorship, Unacademy and Dream 11 had expressed their interest in the opportunity.

Tata Group has submitted ‘Expression of Interest’ before the last date of submission which was August 14. The IPL 2020 is scheduled to be played from September 19 to November 10 in the UAE this year. As per reports, whoever wins the bid will hold it for four months and 13 days.

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“Yes, Tata Group has submitted their Expression of Interest to buy IPL title rights,” a group spokesperson told PTI.

Although it is not necessary to confirm the bid amount while confirming the submission, BCCI is expecting the winning bid to not be very less than Vivo’s INR 440 crore annual contract despite the rights period being only for four months. 

“The EOI doesn’t have to mention the bid amount. It will be sent on August 18,” a source close to BCCI said.

“Post the delivery of the EOI, BCCI shall inform the rights, product categories, and entitlements to the interested third parties. The final bid should be sent to eoi@bcci.tv between 11 am to 1 pm on August 18, 2020,” the BCCI has already stated.

Patanjali and Jio were also said to be in the fray but BCCI hasn't confirmed about them. 

Highest bidding won't necessarily confirm the rights will go to them, BCCI also wants them to have a satisfactory plan.

“A lot of times, some unknown organizations can bid insanely, and then you might find there are questions regarding their credibility. Also what if a company, with sizeable Chinese investment, bids?

“Then the whole postponement of partnership with Vivo will look very stupid,” a veteran official said.

(With PTI Inputs)