After IPL, VIVO loses its sponsorship from Pro Kabaddi League
Jammu, Aug 7: After pulling out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) sponsorship deal for 2020, Chinese smartphone major Vivo will withdraw from two more title sponsorship deals - Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) and reality show Bigg Boss, which is expected to begin in October. While Vivo's PKL deal was worth Rs 60 crore per year, it paid Rs 30 crore to Colors channel for a season of Bigg Boss.
"Vivo has decided to lie low amid all the negative publicity the brand was generating since the India–China clash on the border. The company has decided to pull out of all the major deals, at least for this year. Vivo will now focus on selling products via more retail discount and commissions."Vivo has informed Star India of its intention to terminate the deal," the source added.
Vivo had a five-year deal with Star India, valued at around Rs 300 crore, for the PKL title sponsorship. The 2020 edition of the league was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Chinese phone maker had signed a two-year deal with Colors in 2019 for around Rs 60 crore. A new Bigg Boss season is expected to instigate in October.
The anti-China sentiment in the country peaked after a violent face-off between the Indian and Chinese soldiery in Eastern Ladakh. India lost 20 soldiers in the clash, while China also acknowledged unspecified casualties.
The stalemate at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) caused outrage across India with several calls for the boycott of Chinese companies and products.
After IPL 2020 was pushed to September, Vivo decided to sit out of the 13th edition of the IPL. This year's IPL will be held in UAE from September 19 to November 10.
The BCCI and Vivo Mobile India Pvt Ltd have decided to suspend their partnership for Indian Premier League in 2020.
"BCCI and Vivo Mobile India Pvt Ltd have mutually decided to pause their partnership for the 2020 season of Indian Premier League," it stated.
BCCI was slated to earn Rs 440 crore from Vivo as a part of its sponsorship deal for the T20 tournament.