The drama over, it is back to business. As the Indian Premier League (IPL) takes refuge in South Africa to play out its second edition, the team owners are readying their new plans to size up their revenues.
GMR Sports, the owner of Delhi Daredevils, is trying to figure out how to make up for the revenue loss from ticketing sales. The spotlight is on sponsorship revenues.
In an interview with Indiantelevision.com's Anushree Bhattacharyya, GMR Sports CEO Amrit Mathur talks about the opportunity that South Africa throws up in establishing the Delhi team franchise as a brand in the international arena of cricket.
Excerpts: |
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GMR Sports was aiming at a 20 per cent revenue growth from sponsorship and ticketing. Now with IPL being shifted to South Africa, will that be achievable? |
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How does the revenue pattern shift dramatically?
We also don't know how the revenue will be shared this time. Till last year, we knew that the central pool contributes revenues of about Rs 320 million. Now it is possible that the IPL may add the ticket revenue to the central pool to share it with the franchises. So the revenue from central pool might increase this time. It will, thus, depend on the revenue share model the IPL finally decides upon. |
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Which are the areas where you feel the costs will increase for the franchises? |
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What if the IPL asks the franchises to bear a certain portion of the costs? |
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On the sponsorship front, GMR Sports has roped in Coca-Cola, UB, Hero Honda, Religare, adidas and Kingfisher. What has been the progress on the two slots that are still lying vacant? |
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With the game shifting outside India, are sponsors looking at renegotiating their old deals? |
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With the broadcast partner yet to be finalised, how much of damage will that do to the business? |
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Now that the IPL will be played in foreign land, does your marketing strategy go through a complete overhaul? |
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Do you think the IPL will manage to gather enough loyalty in South Africa? |
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What would have been a better decision - no IPL or IPL in South Africa? |
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