The Nike logo won’t appear in the Indian cricket team’s jersey anymore as the kit manufacturer decided against renewing their contract, which will expire in September.
As per a PTI report, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will soon invite fresh tender for the national team’s apparel sponsorship deal.
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During the board’s Apex Council meeting on July 17, a number of issues were discussed including apparel sponsorship, which is a significant if not huge income for BCCI.
"The Nike’s was a four-year deal for 370 crore with a royalty of 30 crore. Now they will not be submitting any fresh proposal for the new period which starts October 1. The Apex Council has decided that RFP (Request For Proposal) will be floated. Nike obviously can submit a fresh bid," a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Report also claims that the BCCI is likely to extend the contract of 'Pulse Innovations’ for the Digital Services. The company maintains BCCI and IPL websites.
There was also a discussion on shifting of National Cricket Academy (NCA) to a new place in Bengaluru.
"Once situation stabilises, the new construction plan will be submitted to the state government’s relevant department and then the work will start,” the official said.
One of the major issues was the domestic calendar and there wasn’t any concrete discussion.
"There is no point in chalking up a calendar without knowing what will be the COVID situation in December-January, 2021. Obviously, you can take it for granted that Duleep Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy will be scrapped from the men’s itinerary," he said.
Contrary to the media reports, Ahmedabad is the only option for India’s training camp.
"Motera Stadium is a state of the art stadium that has 60 residential rooms inside the facility which will be very convenient to create bio-bubble for players and support staff. Let me tell you, Dubai was not even discussed as training venue for India team. Dharamsala is the second option,” the official said.
With India’s COVID-19 cases surpassing a million mark, UAE has emerged as the front-runner to host the 13th edition of Indian Premier League.
Amidst the development, a couple of franchises informally spoke to PTI and felt that it would be more prudent if India have their red ball camp after the IPL.
”Having an India camp and then coming into the IPL camp doesn’t seem quite logical. In fact, if India is going to Australia in late November-early December, they can have the camp post IPL,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)
