It was 17 years ago that the most storied league in franchise cricket came to existence. The Indian Premier League (IPL) since then, has grown from a little baby to an envy for all.
With former Kolkata Knight Riders opener, Brendon McCullum belting a century against RCB in the very first game of the IPL, the tone was set.
It was a statement to the world that IPL would develop itself not only as one of the biggest talent producing academies but also a platform that attracts brands looking to showcase their products and services to millions of viewers worldwide, and so it did.
17 years, 5 title sponsors.
Since its first season, IPL has seen a remarkable increase in its title sponsorship value, reflecting the league’s growing popularity and commercial success.
Apart from the on field battles, the tournament has also witnessed a couple of off the field battles when it came to securing the sponsorship rights of the league. So far only five brands could make it above the IPL logo as their official title sponsors. DLF, Pepsi, Vivo, Dream11, TATA.
Here’s a list down the memory lane on who came in as the official title sponsor for the IPL and when.
DLF: The Beginning (2008-2012)
The first title sponsor of the IPL was Delhi Land and Finance (DLF). They agreed to sponsor the IPL for the first five years. DLF’s sponsorship deal was really huge in cricket history back then. They paid $100 million for four years from 2008 to 2011.
Later, they extended the deal to 2012, making the total worth $150 million. This meant DLF gave around Rs 200 crore to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which is about Rs 40 crore for each season. This deal was a big deal because it set a trend for future sponsorships.
Pepsi (2013-2015)
As the IPL became more and more popular, many companies wanted to be its main sponsor. In 2013, Pepsi won the bid and agreed to sponsor the IPL for the next five years. They paid a total of Rs 396 crore for it.
However, in 2015, there was a match-fixing scandal that caused trouble. Two teams, the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, got suspended because of it. Because of this, Pepsi decided to end its sponsorship early. They had already paid Rs 238.2 crore for the three seasons from 2013 to 2015.
Vivo (2016-2019)
After Pepsi backed out, Vivo, a Chinese smartphone maker, stepped in to finish the remaining two years of Pepsi’s contract. They agreed to pay Rs 100 crore initially.
Seeing the IPL’s great money-making potential, Vivo then signed a huge five-year deal with the BCCI in 2017. It was worth Rs 2,199 crore, making each season worth about Rs 439.8 crore. But because of tensions between India and China, Vivo had to leave the agreement early, ending the partnership in 2019.
Dream11’s Short Stint (2020)
When Vivo left suddenly, the Indian fantasy sports platform Dream11 stepped in to sponsor the IPL for the 2020 season. They paid Rs 222 crore for just one season, which was half of what Vivo paid. This change showed how IPL sponsorships can change quickly, and how the league can attract different types of partners.
Vivo Returns (2021)
In 2021, Vivo returned to fulfill its earlier contract with the BCCI, becoming the title sponsor again and paying Rs 439.8 crore for the season. This showed Vivo’s dedication to the IPL and proved that the league’s sponsorship rights are still very appealing.
Tata’s Historic Deal (2022-2028)
In 2022, the Tata Group, a highly respected company in India, became the title sponsor for the IPL with the highest bid ever. Tata agreed to sponsor the IPL for two years, paying Rs 335 crore each season. After that, Tata and the BCCI made an even bigger deal for the IPL seasons from 2024 to 2028. The total value of this deal was Rs 2,500 crore, which means Rs 500 crore for each season. This deal is the most expensive title sponsorship in IPL history, showing how much the league has grown and how valuable it has become commercially.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has reached its twilight period. With the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Rajasthan Royals already qualified for the playoffs, it’s going to be a tough race between the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the Chennai Super Kings and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to grab the remaining two spots for the playoffs. Mathematically, even the Delhi Capitals are running in the race with a slightest hope of making it into the top four.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye.
