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The much-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is expected to unfold on November 24 and 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, according to reports.

While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to officially confirm the auction's location or dates, sources close to the matter indicate that final arrangements are being made, with an announcement expected soon.

However, complications have arisen as the action coincides with India's first Test match against Australia in Perth, scheduled for November 22 to 26. 

Disney Star, the broadcaster for both the IPL and the India-Australia Test series, is keen to prevent a direct overlap between the two significant events. Fortunately, due to the time difference with Australia, if the auction is held in the afternoon (IST), it is likely to avoid clashes with match broadcasts.

As several franchises have already declared their player retentions, the spotlight will undoubtedly shine on five star players who are expected to ignite intense bidding wars. 

Teams are strategizing to secure top talent within their budgets, with Rishabh Pant’s explosive wicketkeeping-batsman role, Shreyas Iyer’s dynamic leadership potential, and KL Rahul’s batting consistency being particularly attractive in the high-stakes IPL environment.

Reports suggest that BCCI officials have already conducted preliminary visits to Saudi Arabia to assess potential venues for the auction. 

A second delegation is set to travel to the Gulf nation on Monday to finalize the details. While Jeddah was initially under consideration, Riyadh has emerged as the most likely host city for the two-day auction. 

Other international locations such as Dubai, Singapore, and even Vienna were explored, but Saudi Arabia seems to have been chosen as the preferred venue.

Given this move outside of India, IPL franchises are urging the BCCI to confirm the venue and dates as soon as possible to allow adequate time for travel and logistical arrangements. 

With a retention deadline of October 31 already passed, teams are now focusing on finalizing their player lists ahead of the much-anticipated auction.

Read more: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/gaming-news/bcci-also-considering-singapore-as-an-option-for-ipl-2024-mega-auction-44904.htm">BCCI also considering Singapore as an option for IPL 2024 mega auction</a>

IPL 2025 mega auction set for Riyadh amid scheduling challenges

The ICC Board has recommended a revision to the terms for its Chair and independent Director, suggesting a switch from the current three terms of two years to two terms of three years, as per reports.

If approved by the members, this would mean that BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who is set to take over as ICC Chair on December 1, 2024, will lead the cricket body for a three-year term, with the possibility of a second three-year stint.

Read more: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/jay-shah-elected-as-independent-chair-of-international-cricket-council-icc-40744.htm">Jay Shah elected as Independent Chair of International Cricket Council (ICC)</a>

This change would align with Shah's tenure with his cooling-off period from the BCCI, which begins in September 2025. Under Indian cricket's rules, an individual can serve a total of 18 years across the state unit and BCCI, with a mandatory three-year break after six consecutive years.

In other developments, the ICC approved a series of women's Associate Member T20 competitions to enhance the competitiveness of small cricketing nations. 

These tournaments will be part of the women's cricket expansion plan for 2028-2031 and include two annual T20 events starting from 2025 to 2028, providing a pathway for teams to qualify for the 16-team ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2030.

The ICC also greenlit the 2025-2029 Women's Futures Tour Programme (FTP) and calendar, along with updates to the Women's rankings system.

Starting from May 2025, teams must play a minimum of eight matches for ranking eligibility, an increase from the previous six, reflecting the rise in international fixtures.

Lastly, a mechanism for granting ODI status to five Associate Member women's teams for the 2025-2029 cycle was confirmed, with selections based on team performance in the 2025 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier and the ICC T20I rankings.

Read more: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/icc-announces-record-prize-money-for-womens-t20-world-cup-2024-42664.htm">ICC announces record prize money for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024</a>

ICC proposes chair term reforms, greenlights women's cricket expansion

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering Singapore as a potential venue for the IPL 2024 mega auction, as per reports. While Singapore has emerged as a new contender, Saudi Arabia remains firmly in the running, with locations such as Riyadh or Jeddah under consideration. 

According to Cricbuzz, the BCCI has kept both countries on its radar as it finalizes deals for the much anticipated event

Earlier reports had pointed towards Saudi Arabia hosting the auction, as BCCI officials have shown keen interest in expanding the league's international footprint. The final decision on the venue is expected soon, with the two-day auction set to take place towards the end of November 2024.

Read more: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/gaming-news/bcci-considers-saudi-arabia-for-ipl-mega-auction-venue-44221.htm">BCCI considers Saudi Arabia for IPL mega auction venue</a>

The IPL governing council, which met in Bengaluru on September 28, has already finalized key aspects related to player retention and auction rules. The upcoming mega auction promises to be a pivotal moment for franchises as they prepare for the 2025 season.

In another significant development ahead of IPL 2025, Mahela Jayawardene has been reappointed as the head coach of the Mumbai Indians. After serving as the franchise's global head of cricket for two years, the former Sri Lanka captain is returning to his coaching duties. 

Jayawardene, a proven success in the Twenty20 league format, has already led the Mumbai Indians to three IPL titles during his earlier tenure.

Read more: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/ipls-business-value-surged-from-8-5-bn-in-2022-to-16-4-bn-within-two-years-44239.htm">IPL's business value surged from $8.5 bn in 2022 to $16.4 bn within two years</a>

BCCI also considering Singapore as an option for IPL 2024 mega auction

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has consistently featured in the world's richest leagues, giving cricket its rightful place among global sports leagues. In fact, the IPL has witnessed remarkable revenue growth since its launch in 2008.

A 2024 valuation study by Houlihan Lokey released earlier this year highlighted that the IPL's business value surged from $8.5 billion in 2022 to an impressive $16.4 billion within two years, a growth of 92.94 per cent. 

In terms of brand value, which includes trade names and trademarks, the IPL was valued at $1.8 billion in 2022, rising to $3.2 billion the following year and reaching $3.4 billion in 2024. 

Among the franchises, five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is the most valuable team. CSK's valuation increased from $212 million last year to $231 million in 2024. CSK is followed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore, valued at $227 million, and the Kolkata Knight Riders at $216 million. The Lucknow Super Giants at the bottom of the list is valued at $91 million.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/gaming-news/bcci-considers-saudi-arabia-for-ipl-mega-auction-venue-44221.htm">Read more: BCCI considers Saudi Arabia for IPL mega auction venue</a>

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/bcci-agm-arun-singh-dhumal-avishek-dalmiya-re-elected-to-ipl-governing-council-43787.htm">Read more: BCCI AGM: Arun Singh Dhumal, Avishek Dalmiya re-elected to IPL Governing Council</a>

The rise in player salaries has also been significant. In the inaugural season of 2008, MS Dhoni was the highest-paid player, earning Rs11 crore. In 2024, KL Rahul's reported salary is Rs 17 crore. Mitchell Starc leads with a salary of Rs 24.75 crore. The current highest-paid player has seen a 125 per cent increase compared to 2008. Back in 2008, Andrew Symonds was the second-highest earner at Rs 9.5 crore, whereas Pat Cummins now holds the second spot with a salary of Rs 20.50 crore.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/gaming-news/ipl-players-to-earn-rs-7-5-lakh-per-game-in-new-match-fee-structure-43508.htm">Read more: IPL players to earn Rs 7.5 lakh per game in new match fee structure</a>

IPL's business value surged from $8.5 bn in 2022 to $16.4 bn within two years

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is exploring the possibility of hosting the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction in Saudi Arabia, with Riyadh and Jeddah emerging as frontrunners for the event, Cricbuzz reports. 

Although no specific location has been finalized, the BCCI officials are keen on setting the auction in one of these cities, leaving Dubai as a less favoured option despite its previous hosting of the auction in December 2023.

Cricbuzz understands that the BCCI has encountered difficulties in securing an appropriate venue or hotel in Saudi Arabia, where costs are reportedly significantly higher compared to Dubai. While financial concerns are not expected to be a major issue for the IPL franchise owners - who represent one of the wealthiest leagues in the world, the challenge remains to find a suitable space to accommodate the extensive entourage expected to attend. 

The auction is slated to take place in the last week of November and is anticipated to span two days, catering to all ten franchise delegations and key broadcasters, including Jio and Disney Star.

In a previous development, London had been considered a potential venue for the auction, but the BCCI opted against it due to the chilly weather typical of the UK in late November. With logistical hurdles in mind, the BCCI and IPL officials are actively searching for a location that can effectively host such a significant event.

In other news, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are awaiting a final decision regarding MS Dhoni's participation in the upcoming season. Key officials from the franchise are set to meet with Dhoni in mid-October in Mumbai to discuss his future. The legendary cricketer, who recently returned to India after a trip to the United States, has yet to confirm whether he will play another season.

Notably, the BCCI has declared that players like Dhoni, who have not played international cricket for over five years, can be classified as 'uncapped' and retained for a price of Rs 4 crore. 

BCCI considers Saudi Arabia for IPL mega auction venue

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to become even more financially rewarding for cricketers, with the introduction of match fees for every game a player participates in. 

In a historic move announced by BCCI Honorary Secretary Jay Shah on Saturday, IPL players will now receive Rs 7.5 lakh per game, adding to their existing contracted amount.

Taking to social media platform X on September 28, Shah declared, "In a historic move to celebrate consistency and champion outstanding performances in the #IPL, we are thrilled to introduce a match fee of INR 7.5 lakhs per game for our cricketers!"

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">In a historic move to celebrate consistency and champion outstanding performances in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPL</a>, we are thrilled to introduce a match fee of INR 7.5 lakhs per game for our cricketers! A cricketer playing all league matches in a season will get Rs. 1.05 crores in addition to his…&mdash; Jay Shah (@JayShah) <a href="https://twitter.com/JayShah/status/1840027111530328372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Players participating in all league matches of a season stand to earn Rs 1.05 crore in addition to their contracted fees. Each franchise will earmark Rs 12.60 crore as total match fees for their players for the season. Shah highlighted that this marks a new era for the IPL, enriching the rewards for players' dedication and performance.

The new match fee structure is expected to take effect from the 2025 season, following the decision made at the IPL Governing Council meeting in Bengaluru. A mega auction, likely to take place in November 2024, will precede the new season.

The 2024 IPL auction saw new records being set with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) signing Australian player Mitchell Starc for Rs 24.75 crore, making him the most expensive player in IPL history. Pat Cummins, another Australian fast bowler, was brought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.75 crore, making him the second costliest player in the league.

IPL players to earn Rs 7.5 lakh per game in new match fee structure

In a feat that surprises few, Virat Kolhi, former Indian cricket captain and one of the nation's sporting icons, has emerged as the highest taxpayer among Indian sportspersons. According to a recent Fortune India report, Kohli paid Rs 66 crore in taxes for the financial year 2023-24, securing his position at the top. 

Despite stepping down from captaincy roles, both in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the national team, Kohli continues to command significant earnings from his playing contracts, endorsements, and business ventures. His tax contributions place him ahead of fellow cricket legends like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who paid Rs 38 crore, securing the seventh spot overall among Indian celebrities. Dhoni, now 43, retired from international cricket in 2020 but remains a highly sought-after figure in the endorsement world.

In the broader list of taxpaying celebrities, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan tops the rankings with Rs 92 crore, followed by Tamil actor Vijay Setupathi with Rs 80 crore. 

Kohli's Rs 66 crore contribution places him in fifth overall, a testament to his financial influence beyond the cricket field.

Endorsements also play a significant role in Kohli's wealth accumulation. He partners with major global brands, and his strong presence on social media further boosts his earnings, making him one of the highest-paid Indian celebrities on platforms like Instagram.

Additionally, Kohli has diversified his portfolio by investing in business ventures, including co-founding the fitness brand One8.

The Fortune India list also features cricketing legend, Sachin Tendulkar at number nine on the list with Rs 28 crore, sharing the spot with actor Hrithik Roshan. Former captain Sourav Ganguly, another cricketing stalwart, paid Rs 23 crore in the previous financial year.

Check the full list of highest taxpaying celebrities
- Shah Rukh Khan: Rs 92 crore
- Vijay Setupathi: Rs 80 crore
- Salman Khan: Rs 75 crore
- Amitabh Bachchan: Rs 71 crore
- Virat Kolhi: Rs 66 crore
- Ajay Devgn: Rs 42 crore
- Mahendra Singh Dhoni: Rs 38 crore
- Ranbir Kapoor: Rs 36 crore
- Sachin Tendulkar: Rs 28 crore
- Hrithik Roshan: Rs 28 crore
- Kapil Sharma: Rs 26 crore
- Sourav Ganguly: Rs 23 crore

Virat Kohli leads as top taxpayer among Indian sportspersons

In today's hyper-connected world, brands are increasingly quick to jump on the bandwagon of congratulating influencers and athletes during their moments of success. Whether it's through social media shoutouts or full-blown advertising campaigns, these congratulatory messages often blur the lines between genuine appreciation and opportunistic marketing. While the practice might seem harmless on the surface, it raises significant ethical and legal questions that brands must carefully consider.

The Ethical Dilemma: Opportunism vs. Genuine Support

There lies a key ethical question: Are these congratulatory messages truly about celebrating the individual's achievements, or are they thinly veiled attempts to capitalize on their success? Consumers today are more discerning than ever, and many see through these gestures as mere opportunistic marketing. Brands that have not historically supported a particular athlete or influencer may face backlash for attempting to associate themselves with their success only after they've achieved it.

This raises concerns about the authenticity of the brand's messaging. If a brand did not stand by the influencer or athlete during their journey, is it ethical to suddenly align themselves with their success? The answer is often no. Such actions can be perceived as disingenuous, and consumers are increasingly likely to call out brands for this kind of behavior. Ethical marketing should be about building long-term relationships and demonstrating consistent support, not just showing up when there's a spotlight to share.

Legal Considerations: Navigating the Grey Areas

Legally, the situation is somewhat murky. At first glance, congratulating someone might seem like a harmless act. However, the moment a brand leverages an athlete or influencer's success for monetary gain, the waters become murkier. For instance, using the name or likeness of an athlete in an advertisement without their consent could potentially lead to legal complications, especially if the brand is perceived as benefiting commercially from the association.

This is particularly relevant in the world of sports, where strict regulations govern how brands can use athletes' names and images. Events like the FIFA World Cup or the IPL have stringent guidelines that even official sponsors must adhere to. Brands that are not officially associated with these events or the athletes involved could face legal repercussions if they attempt to leverage these moments for their marketing campaigns.

The legal landscape is complex and varies depending on jurisdiction, but one thing is clear: brands must tread carefully. Any monetary gain achieved through such advertising without proper agreements in place could lead to potential legal challenges. Beyond the legal risks, there is also the very real possibility of reputational damage if consumers perceive the brand's actions as exploitative.

The Role of Influencers and Athletes: A Double-Edged Sword

For athletes and influencers, these moments of success represent significant opportunities. Their market value often skyrockets in the aftermath of a major win or a viral moment, making them highly sought after by brands. However, this also raises questions about the sustainability of their fame and the long-term benefits they can provide to brands.

While some athletes and influencers manage to maintain their relevance over time, many have a limited window to capitalize on their fame. This creates a situation where brands must weigh the potential short-term gains against the long-term sustainability of their association with these individuals. For larger brands with substantial marketing budgets, the high costs of partnering with successful athletes and influencers may be justified. However, for smaller brands, the return on investment may not be as clear-cut.

Moreover, athletes and influencers often carry a level of credibility and authenticity that can enhance a brand's image, particularly in categories like health and fitness. But as with any celebrity endorsement, there is always the risk that the individual's star may fade, leaving the brand with a partnership that no longer holds the same value.

A Call for Ethical Marketing

In a nutshell, while congratulating influencers and athletes might seem like a simple and effective marketing strategy, it comes with significant ethical and legal implications. Brands must carefully consider their motivations and the potential backlash from consumers who are increasingly savvy and skeptical of opportunistic marketing tactics. Ethical marketing is about building genuine, long-term relationships, not just capitalizing on fleeting moments of success. Brands that navigate this landscape with authenticity and transparency will be better positioned to maintain consumer trust and avoid legal pitfalls.

Vaibhav Gupta, Co-Founder and CPO, KlugKlug, a research-driven science influencer marketing (KOL) platform.

Ethical and Legal Implications of Brands Congratulating Influencers and Athletes

Illegal betting and gambling apps operating in India are now live streaming major sports events on their websites and apps. Some notorious betting apps, such as 1xbet, Reddy Anna, Khelo Yar, 96win, and Sat Sport, among others, allow users to watch live sports content while placing bets on their platforms. It's worth noting that multiple betting operators are offering the option to place bets on the ongoing Paris Olympics events.

Illegal betting and gambling apps divert viewers away from legitimate content platforms affecting their subscription models and advertising revenue. Recently, Disney Star India successfully dismantled a network of illegal streaming websites airing ICC T20 World Cup matches. The media conglomerate’s anti-piracy efforts led to the shutdown of platforms like magicwin.games and magicwin.com. The suspects were identified, and one of the accused was arrested in Ahmedabad. He was found receiving match feeds from a cable operator in Pakistan.

Explaining the notorious ways illegal betting apps pirate live sports content, Ritesh Bhatia, Founder of V4WEB Cybersecurity, a cybercrime investigations company, said, “Illegal streaming operations are increasingly sophisticated, employing a range of technical methods to steal content. A primary tactic is web scraping, using tools like Scrapy or Selenium to automatically extract live streams from legitimate platforms. Web pirates then embed these streams on their illicit platforms, effectively rebroadcasting copyrighted content without permission.

Bhatia further said, “Beyond scraping, these criminals also exploit vulnerabilities, intercept network data, and create botnets to distribute stolen content. Additionally, they set up their own streaming servers and leverage peer-to-peer networks to bypass traditional distribution channels.”

According to a 2024 report by Dataprot, India ranked third (9.5 billion) in terms of visits to pirate sites, The United States topped the list with 17.3 billion visits and Russia with 14.4 billion visits. The online piracy statistics show that over 50 percent of these recorded visits went to streaming sites. 

Suggesting measures to curb content piracy, Bhatia said, “To combat this, broadcasters and streaming platforms must implement a multifaceted approach. This includes fortifying digital rights management systems, employing advanced anti-scraping technologies, and developing robust content identification and tracking mechanisms. Furthermore, fostering collaboration with technology companies to refine detection algorithms and improve content protection is essential.”

With the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024, multiple illegal betting apps and websites are offering users the ability to place bets along with live streaming. In India, Viacom18 Sports has the broadcasting and streaming rights for the Paris Olympics 2024. Sports18 Network will broadcast the content on TV while JioCinema will stream live content for free. 

Viacom18, owning exclusive media rights for IPL events, faced infringement issues from rogue websites broadcasting the IPL matches illegally. In March 2024, Delhi HC passed a landmark judgment concerning the broadcast of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Delhi High Court underscored the critical need for ‘Dynamic+’ injunctions as a robust legal response to combat digital piracy.

The ruling came in the favor of Viacom 18 Media Private Limited ordering immediate blocking measures by ISPs, DoT, and MeitY. The Court had allowed Viacom18 to dynamically add and block new rogue websites found infringing during the IPL event.

When asked if Viacom18 Sports is tackling the issue of content pilferage, Siddharth Sharma, Content Head of Viacom18 Sports, said, “We are mindful and cognizant, and there is an active strategy at work where we have partners who are constantly tracking how to prevent this pilferage, and whenever it happens, there is immediate action that we take.”

Sharma further said, “We have to look after our own assets and protect our investments. But also to ensure that the fans have the best experience, which is why we offer everything free and nothing is behind a paywall. The access barrier is being removed, and the audience can enjoy sports content. We also ensure that we look after our international syndication partners, so we always have the best in the world as partners with us who constantly track and strike out these nodes which indulge in content pilferage.”

In 2022, the Delhi High Court directed the Department of Technology (DOT) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) to issue blocking orders against Pikashow, the rogue piracy app. Disney Star had earlier filed an FIR against TamilBlasters, Tamilrockers, and the PikaShow TV app for leaking television (TV), Over-The-Top (OTT), and film content on their platforms. According to the FIR filed, these platforms generated cumulative traffic of nearly 62 million. Moreover, PikaShow also streamed content from linear TV channels such as Star Plus, Star Gold, Star World, and Star Sports.

A senior industry leader from the broadcasting industry said, “Earlier, the media and entertainment industry was suffering huge losses because of pirated films. Now we are also witnessing increase in piracy of OTT content, TV shows, and sports content. Illegal betting apps are streaming live sports content on their websites and apps. Apps like PikaShow continue to offer live sports content.”

He further said, “These pirated content apps and websites are sponsored by betting apps such as 1xBet and others as they run their advertisements throughout their content. The industry needs a robust mechanism to tackle incidents of blatant piracy. The inability to stop such acts is a failure on the part of media houses and the government.”

Disney Star, Times Internet, and Cricbuzz are members of the International Broadcaster Coalition Against Piracy (IBCAP). IBCAP focuses on illegal websites and Set-Top Box (STB) services broadcasting members' sports media rights. IBCAP is responsible for an industry-leading deterrent effect on cricket piracy this past year.

Star Sports declined to comment on the issue of their content being pilfered via illegal betting and streaming websites and apps.

According to IBCAP, during IPL 2023, it disrupted nearly 9,000 streams over the course of the tournament, including more than 3.6 million views were disrupted on Facebook Live streams worldwide. During the Cricket World Cup tournament, the IBCAP lab removed more than 17,000 streams and disrupted more than 9.5 million views on Facebook Live streams worldwide.

The increasing menace of illegal betting apps streaming live sports in India not only affects broadcasters but also the entire sports industry as an ecosystem. It requires united efforts from multiple organizations globally to tackle content pilferage across multiple formats and genres. 

Illegal betting apps now a threat to sports broadcasters and live streaming platforms

Centre Court Capital has announced the launch of a Rs 350 crore fund for sports and gaming in India. Founded by Mustafa Ghouse, former CEO of JSW Sports along with Alok Samtaney who was a former Investment Director with TVS Capital and Sabre Partners, the fund has the Sajjan Jindal Family Trust as anchor investor, with Parth Jindal at the helm. 


The fund is aimed at backing founders bringing in innovative tech and pushing the boundaries of the sports and gaming ecosystem.


The VC fund has already raised Rs 200 crore in commitments from investors and top athletes. Some of them include the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), PremjiInvest, USK Capital, and other large corporate sports investors in the country such as GMR Sports, and SG Sports. Other notable figures from the world of sport and media have also joined. 


“The sports and gaming sectors are experiencing unprecedented growth in the country. Tech is dominating the narrative of how sport is played and consumed, and we want to be at the forefront of this revolution,” said Mustafa Ghouse, founder and general partner of Centre Court Capital.



“We have seen a tremendous rise in both public and private investment in Sports which has more than quadrupled since 2020. As a result, we’re seeing an acceleration in the number of startups that are building from India for India and the world. Adding to that, with 396 million gamers, we’re the 2nd largest population of gamers in the world and the gaming sector is poised to grow at a 5-year CAGR of 21 percetn. We firmly believe in the potential of the space, and are focussed on backing exceptional founders who believe they are now ready to compete with the best in class, globally,” added Ghouse.


Ghouse, a former Asian Games Bronze medalist and member of the Indian Davis Cup team, went on to become founding CEO of JSW Sports. 

 
He brings with him the operating experience of having put together Inspire Institute of Sport,  India’s premier Olympic training facility, aside from leading the acquisition and heading teams across the IPL, ISL, and PKL. Alok, meanwhile, brings deep experience across the fund lifecycle having spent over 15 years between TVS Capital Funds and Sabre Partners. He has made and managed a diversified portfolio of venture capital and private equity investments and has seen a substantial number of exits. 


“IOver the last decade, we have backed, invested and developed sport in India in a big way, and our commitment stems from our belief in the potential of sports in India. We’ve also been tracking the growth of the eSports and gaming sectors and we’re excited to see the champions from India emerge. We are proud to be early backers of Centre Court Capital's pioneering fund, which will further drive growth and innovation in what is an ever-evolving sector,” said Parth Jindal, MD of JSW Cement Ltd., JSW Paints Pvt. Ltd., and Founder of JSW Sports.




Centre Court Capital is a SEBI-registered Category II AIF, and is soon launching an offshore feeder fund in GIFT City, to raise capital from international investors. The fund has already completed its first two investments in the sports tech space. It will look to focus on early stage opportunities, earmarking Rs 8 crore to Rs24 crores, while reserving 40-50 percent of the fund for follow-on investments. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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