Big bucks, big bang on Indian sports scene
This Friday, premier sports-shoe manufacturers Adidas are scheduled to hold a press conference in Bombay.
The purpose -- to introduce the lineup of models it has secured to endorse its products in the Indian market. Said lineup, a company press release indicates, will feature tennis icons Mahesh Bhupati and Leander Paes, as well as "a cricket personality of international renown".
The coy act notwithstanding, inside buzz suggests that the unnamed cricket personality in all probability will be former skipper and star batsman Sachin Tendulkar. Interestingly, Mohammad Azharuddin who took over the captaincy from Sachin prior to the recent triangular ODI series in Dhaka, endorses rival Reebok.
While there is no immediate indication about the kind of money involved, a benchmark to go by is the fact that Tendulkar was quoting a reported Rs 20 million for product endorsement at the start of the 1996-1997 season -- a price tag that saw soft drink manufacturers Pepsi shy away from the star player, and opt instead for the emerging Rahul Dravid and ODI vice captain Ajay Jadeja.
Meanwhile, another major sponsorship deal is reportedly in the immediate offing -- this one courtesy Pepsi.
This time round, market sources indicate, the soft-drinks giants are planning nothing less than a domestic super league one day tournament, featuring either ten or twelve teams.
While the details are yet to be finalised, it is believed that the tournament will be played on a day-night basis under lights. More interestingly, each team in the competition will be allowed to hire the services of two foreign players -- thus, the tournament is based loosely on the Sunday League format.
Insiders indicate that the likes of Shane Warne and Mark Waugh have already been approached, and that the hunt for other international stars is actively on.
Further details are awaited.
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