Image courtesy of: The Hindu
Airtel are reportedly seeking a larger association with Indian cricket
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have begun the hunt for a new title sponsor after Bharti Airtel, the telecommunication company, announced that they would not be renewing their contract, which expires on March 31.
According to reports, the BCCI’s marketing committee will meet in Mumbai to finalise all the documents for netting a new home series sponsor.
Airtel won the rights as series sponsor for all international and domestic matches played in India from September 1, 2010 to March 31, 2013 after paying a fee of Rs 3.33 crore per match.
“Most of the terms and conditions, barring the base price, are likely to remain the same,” a BCCI insider said.
The Airtel company logo was also branded on all the stumps used during the matches.
Despite ending their sponsorship contract, the insider noted that Airtel were preparing for a larger association with Indian cricket.
“Airtel have shown interest in bidding for the team title rights, like they had done in the past,” he said.
Airtel’s refusal to renew their contract is yet another setback for the BCCI as they were recently embroiled in a huge dispute with Sahara, who will also end their sponsorship deal with the national team at the end of the year.