The Tata Group has renewed its association with the Indian Premier League (IPL), extending its title sponsorship for an additional five years until 2028, with an annual contribution of INR 500 crore per season.
This extension follows the terms set out in the Invitation To Tender (ITT) document, granting Tata the option to match any competitive bid. In adherence to this clause, Tata matched the INR 2500 crore offer made by the Aditya Birla Group, a decision ratified by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday.
Initially, the Tatas stepped into the IPL sponsorship scene in 2022, taking over from Vivo, which had encountered various issues leading to its withdrawal. Among the factors influencing Vivo's decision were its Chinese origins, although this was not the sole reason. Vivo's original agreement, starting in 2018, spanned five years with a commitment of INR 2199 crore, including an exit value of INR 512 crore in the final year. However, due to disruptions caused by the pandemic, the deal extended to six years.
The IPL-Vivo partnership faced hurdles amidst the India-China diplomatic tensions, prompting the Tata Group to intervene in 2022. Tata agreed to pay INR 365 crore per season, with Vivo covering the remainder. After successfully fulfilling this arrangement, the BCCI allowed Tata to have the first right of refusal for any new sponsorship offers. The group has now chosen to continue its association with the IPL by matching the Aditya Birla Group's bid of INR 2500 crore for the next five-year cycle.