Two days after the IPL governing council decided to continue with Vivo as the T20 tournament’s title sponsor, the Chinese smartphone maker is all set to pull out — at least for the 2020 edition starting next month in the UAE.
Confirming the development, a BCCI official said to the press that an official statement on the withdrawal will be issued in “a couple of days”. The parting of ways, temporary and by mutual consent, follows a public backlash after the council decided Sunday to hold the IPL from September 19 to November 10 in the UAE, and continue with its China-linked sponsors.
Vivo acquired the IPL title sponsorship for Rs 2,199 crore in 2018 in a five-year deal. “We (BCCI and Vivo) sat after the governing council meeting and agreed on a one-year moratorium. We will also see if their contract can be extended by one year after 2023. This issue will be settled amicably,” the BCCI official said.
An IPL council member, too, confirmed the development. “We will issue a new RFP (Request For Proposal). The process will be very transparent,” the member said.