In a sudden turn of events, Dream11, the fantasy sports platform, has reportedly withdrawn its commitment as the lead jersey sponsor for the Indian cricket team. This decision comes just 16 days before the start of the Asia Cup, after the Indian parliament passed “The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill” on Thursday. The new bill has reportedly banned online fantasy sports and gambling platforms, putting Dream11’s business model under severe pressure.
According to a report by NDTV, while neither Dream11 nor the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made an official statement, sources confirm that the company is “not willing to continue its deal.” Devajit Saiki, the BCCI secretary, affirmed the board’s commitment to following the country’s laws, stating, “If it’s not permissible, we’ll not do anything. The BCCI will follow every policy of the country that is framed by the central government.”
This abrupt termination has left the BCCI in a difficult position, with a major tournament looming. The board is now set to invite fresh bids for the jersey sponsorship rights ahead of the Asia Cup, which begins on September 9. If a new sponsor isn’t secured in time, the Indian team may play the tournament without a lead logo on their jersey. This is especially challenging as new jerseys, already printed with the Dream11 logo for the Asia Cup, were reportedly ready for use.
A History of Troubled Sponsorships
Dream11’s short-lived stint is just the latest in a series of problematic sponsorships for the Indian cricket team. The ₹358 crore, three-year contract, signed in July 2023, has now joined a list of deals that ended prematurely or under controversial circumstances.
- Sahara (2001-2013): The conglomerate faced major legal troubles with the SEBI over regulatory violations, eventually leading to the imprisonment of its founder.
- Star India (2014-2017): The broadcaster had to deal with a Competition Commission of India (CCI) probe over alleged anti-competitive practices.
- Oppo (2017-2020): The Chinese smartphone brand pulled out of its deal citing financial strain.
- Byju’s (2020-2023): The edtech company’s tenure ended in a bitter dispute, with the BCCI taking them to court over a considerable amount of unpaid dues.
The Indian team’s first match in the Asia Cup is against the UAE on September 10, followed by a clash with arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai. The final group-stage match is against Oman on September 19.