IPL Teams and Sponsorship

If you are the owner of an IPL team, it seems like you would do better financially if your team winds up in the middle or lower ranks.

A look at the sponsors and partners of each team reveals that the Chennai Super Kings, who finished fourth last year, are top of the heap, getting corporates to ante up for such things as a memory booster drink and a skin lightening cream.

 Illustration: Malay karmakar

Mumbai Indians are perhaps the best marketers: Despite finishing in the bottom half for two years running, they’re number two in the sponsorship race, with 17 sponsors. They have two insurers (Oriental and New India) and an official ticketing partner (Book My Show), among others.

Kolkata Knight Riders, last place in 2009, come in fourth here. Deccan Chargers and the Bangalore Royal Challengers, who played the 2009 finals, trail in at the end, somewhat like their performance in Season One.

Interestingly, Vijay Mallya, RCB’s owner, has spread his largesse fairly evenly. His companies feature in the sponsors and partners list for every team!