National Interest Prevails Over Sporting Pursuits As BCCI Suspends IPL 2020 Title Sponsorship Association With Chinese Firm Vivo

Chinese mobile phone company Vivo will not be the title sponsor of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League 2020

Photo: File/ AFP

National interest prevailed over sporting pursuits as BCCI on Thursday sent out a one-line statement to say that Chinese mobile phone company Vivo will not be the title sponsor of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League 2020 (IPL). The BCCI in a one-line media advisory said, “The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Vivo Mobile India Pvt Ltd have decided to suspend their partnership for Indian Premier League in 2020.” For IPL title sponsorship rights, Vivo Mobile India Pvt Ltd had signed a five-year deal (2018 to 2022) with the BCCI for a reported sum of Rs 2,199 crore. They pay Rs 440 crore each year. Now, BCCI will have to find a new title sponsor as mandated by its constitution. On Sunday, BCCI had decided to continue its sponsorship commitments with Vivo, the Chinese company, as IPL title sponsor amid the soaring India-China diplomatic tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The board had to face severe backlash and criticism from the fans on social media. Considering the COVID-19 situation, the 13th edition of IPL was forced out of India and will now take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 18. The final match 53-day tournament will take place on 10 November. ALSO WATCH | IPL 2020 undergoes huge changes post Coronavirus pandemic