MUMBAI: Eros Now has made its debut in IPL 11 as the title sponsor of Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The digital venture of Eros International is the first over-the-top (OTT) platform to become the lead sponsor of a league team in the world’s premier T20 event. Though there is a speculation that the deal is worth Rs 54 crore, the company declined to comment on the number.

Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Eros Now COO Ali Hussein said that the deal with RCB was a media brand association, entailing the meeting of sports and entertainment meet via T20.

“The innovation with RCB is a perfect mélange of sports and entertainment and enables our endeavour to connect with our youth and offer a consumer experience bringing stars from the cricketing and Bollywood world together. By integrating with RCB and T20, Eros Now is investing in other entertainment vehicles to share our vision and passion of presenting the best in entertainment. RCB have garnered tremendous support and confidence in their partners and fans and we wish the team good luck this season, ” said Eros Digital CEO Rishika Lulla Singh.

For Eros Now, the deal brings together the synergies entertainment and sports thanks to the snacky nature of the T20 format. 

Eros Now has replaced mobile handset brand Gionee, a brand that was associated with the team in 2017 IPL. Last year, Gionee was the first brand ever to sponsor front jerseys of two IPL teams—Kolkata Knight Riders and the Rajasthan Royals—in the same edition. But the company has decided to stay away for this year’s edition of IPL. 

“We are delighted to have a leading entertainment entity like Eros Now on board as RCB’s title sponsor. Entertainment and cricket have always been India’s biggest passion points and the synergy that this partnership will create is definitely going to up the excitement quotient among fans and viewers,” RCB chairman Amrit Thomas said.

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