IPL Sponsors List: All you need to know about IPL 2016 Sponsors
The most popular domestic T20 tournament in the world has entered its 9th edition and we can only expect it to be even better than last time. Things have changed a lot since the 2015 edition of the Indian Premier League which was played just a year ago. Among the biggest differences is the fact that two top franchises are missing from the tournament and have been replaced by a couple of new ones. Following the two-year suspension of the Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals, the Rising Pune Supergiants and the Gujarat Lions have stepped in to take their place.
Another major difference this year, as is the case in every edition, is the change of personnel in each of the teams. What stands out is the fact that most players from the two suspended teams have found new buyers and some of the big names can be seen as part of the two latest franchises. Players like MS Dhoni, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin and Faf du Plessis have been lapped up by the Pune team whereas the Gujarat franchise has got hold of IPL bigwigs such as Suresh Raina, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja and James Faulkner.
With Pepsi pulling out of their IPL title sponsorship deal following the suspension of CSK and RR from the tournament, we also have a new title sponsor in the 2016 edition. Chinese smartphone manufacturers VIVO have been roped in to take over from Pepsi and the league has been named the VIVO IPL this year. The company, which had entered the Indian smartphone market in December 2014, has quickly established itself as a force to reckon with in over 300 cities of the country. Their current contract with the IPL is scheduled to last for two years until the 2017 IPL.
Apart from the title sponsors VIVO, there are also a number of associate sponsors for the annual T20 extravaganza as well. While some of the regular names feature this time around as well, there are few new entrants as well. For example, Coca-Cola have joined the associate sponsorship bandwagon after their primary rivals Pepsi pulled out as title sponsors. Other newcomers in the list of IPL associate sponsors include smartphone manufacturers Oppo and online recharge website Freecharge among others.
The large number of companies who are willing to invest in the IPL goes on to show that the tournament has managed to keep its credibility intact despite all the controversies that have clouded it since the very first edition. Firms are still keen to be associated with an extremely popular brand like the IPL and help expand their market across the entire country. Unfortunately, not all them are able to bag a contract with the world's most popular T20 league due to limited availability of slots.
List of sponsors for the 2016 edition of the IPL
Title Sponsor - VIVO
Associate Sponsors - Vodafone, Yes Bank, Freecharge, Maruti Suzuki, CEAT Tyres, Tata Sky, Coca-Cola, Vimal Pan Masala, Amazon, OPPO, Park Avenue, Moov
A number of big brands are also associated with the 2016 IPL in the form of sponsors for the eight franchises participating in the tournament. Companies dealing in contrasting product lines have provided their financial backing to each of the teams ranging from electronics manufacturers to airline service providers to even food suppliers. This has only added further to the brand value of the tournament.