The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will soon invite fresh bids for a new jersey sponsor after Dream11 decided to exit. The change comes after the Online Gaming Act became law in India on Friday (Aug 22).
With the President’s approval, the law bans promotional activities linked to gaming platforms that involve financial gains. This forces the BCCI to end its association with Dream11, which has been the lead sponsor of Team India’s jersey.
Dream11 Set to Leave Sponsorship Role
According to a report by NDTV, Dream11 is “not willing to continue its deal” with BCCI. Neither Dream11 nor the BCCI has made an official statement yet. However, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia made the board’s stance clear.
“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,” he said.
The exit of Dream11 leaves BCCI with a major sponsorship gap. The board must now act quickly to ensure the Indian team does not go without a sponsor during the upcoming matches.
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New Sponsor Could Arrive by West Indies Series
Reports suggest that BCCI will invite bids as soon as possible. A new sponsor could appear on the team’s jersey as early as the West Indies home series, which begins in the last week of September. This gives BCCI about a month to finalize a deal and close its existing agreement with Dream11 on legal terms.
This move also highlights how cricket sponsorships are directly affected by government policies and new regulations. For BCCI, replacing Dream11 with a new sponsor is both a financial and branding priority.
Impact on Asia Cup & Jerseys Already Printed
The timing of the change creates complications for upcoming tournaments. The Asia Cup is scheduled before the West Indies series. If BCCI ends the contract before the Asia Cup, the Indian cricket team could play without a sponsor on their jerseys.
Reports claim that jerseys with Dream11 logos are already printed, but the BCCI will not allow their usage. This could lead to legal issues with Dream11, which may demand clarity on its sponsorship rights if the sudden exit is enforced before the Asia Cup.
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Women’s World Cup Won’t Be Affected
The Women’s World Cup will not see any Dream11 branding either. The International Cricket Council (ICC) does not allow the use of main sponsors on jerseys during ICC tournaments.
Dream11 was not going to feature on the front of the jerseys. However, BCCI will also remove Dream11’s sleeve branding if the contract is legally terminated or replaced with a new sponsor.
What This Means for BCCI?
The BCCI now has a tight window to secure a fresh sponsor. The Online Gaming Act has changed the sponsorship landscape, cutting out gaming platforms from India’s biggest sporting properties. The board must now rely on interest from other sectors such as finance, technology, or consumer brands.
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