Spartan refutes claims of dispute with MS Dhoni
Reports had emerged last week that Spartan Sports, an Australian equipment and sports gear company had allegedly duped India’s ODI and Twenty20 skipper by a whopping Rs. 20 Crore.
The company has however, refuted this allegation. Spokespersons for the company said, “Spartan refutes the claims that they are in dispute with MS Dhoni and Rhiti Sports. As a matter of fact, the recent press reports have made Kunal Sharma, managing director at Spartan, and Arun Pandey, managing director at Rhiti Sports, meet in India".
Soon after reports of the news emerged, Pandey had spoken to the media while stating that “everything is not smooth (with Spartan) and hopefully the matter will be resolved soon”. Pandey is yet to issue subsequent statements in repose to the one made Spartan in their defence.
MS Dhoni has a three-year bat and sponsorship deal worth Rs. 13 Crore with the Australian company. The company claims that they are currently undertaking several new initiatives with MS Dhoni and that such reports are attempted to “disrupt the relationship” that they have with the Indian skipper and Rhiti Sports.
Dhoni currently has nearly 20 brands in his endorsement portfolio and he reportedly signed for five new brands after the release of his biopic was announced. Earlier this year, the Indian great had relinquished his role of brand ambassador with the Amrapali Group over a row involving the real estate giant’s non-completion of projects per schedule.
As per Forbes, the limited overs skipper is the 23rd highest paid athlete in the world, with endorsements to the tune of $27 million.