Fantasy sports platform Dream11 has ended its sponsorship deal with the BCCI following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill in parliament. The decision leaves the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) without a lead sponsor ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, starting on September 9.
According to a report in the Indian Express, Dream11 representatives visited the BCCI office in Mumbai and informed CEO Hemang Amin about their decision.
“(Representatives of) Dream11 visited the BCCI office and informed CEO Hemang Amin that they won’t be able to continue… As a result, they won’t be the team’s sponsors for the Asia Cup. The BCCI will float a new tender soon,” a BCCI official said.
Another official confirmed that the sponsor’s decision to pull out is unlikely to be penalised, owing to a clause in the contract. The clause states that if the sponsor’s core business is affected by a change in law enforced by the Indian government, they “won’t be liable to pay anything” to the cricket board.
Dream11’s Journey as BCCI Sponsor
Dream11, valued at $8 billion and founded 18 years ago, became BCCI’s lead sponsor in July 2023. They replaced edtech firm Byju’s with a three-year deal worth ₹358 crore. Besides sponsoring the Indian team, Dream11 invested in the IPL by signing top players like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah as brand ambassadors.
In 2020, they even became the trophy sponsor of the IPL, replacing Chinese firm Vivo.
Dream11’s Global Sporting Presence
Dream11 also has a strong global footprint. They are the official fantasy partner of the Caribbean Premier League and the title sponsor of Super Smash. The brand has a presence in Australia as well, with partnerships in the Big Bash League and Women’s Big Bash League.
They also partnered with the International Cricket Council in 2018 and expanded into other sports. Dream11 is the official fantasy partner of the Indian Super League, and is associated with the Pro Kabaddi League and the International Hockey Federation.
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