Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is likely to replace Videocon as the sponsor of the senior Bengal cricket team.
According to Tushar Sarkar, treasurer of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), Videocon has not yet officially conveyed its decision. “But we are of the view that the company may not continue”, Sarkar said.
Bengal’s poor performance in the Ranji Trophy this year may force Videocon to discontinue its ties with the Bengal cricket team.
However, Sarkar is not ready to buy this argument. “Videocon joined us through Jeet Banerjee, managing director of Phoenix Advertising and GamePlan. Videocon is one of his biggest clients. Relationship between Banerjee and the CAB has recently turned sour and that is why he is blocking the renewal of the deal”, Sarkar added.
Though talks are on with BSNL, they are yet to mature, Sarkar said. “Videocon paid Rs 40 lakh for 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons. We have approached BSNL to come up with Rs 60 lakh for the next two seasons.”
“Besides, we are negotiating with Coca Cola to sponsor our age-group tournaments as Pepsi is no longer with us. We have to go by the decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Earlier, Pepsi used to provide drinks for players. Now, Coke is doing that. However, Coke has informed us that it needs to survey the market before taking any decision”, Sarkar said.
Jeet Banerjee, however, denied his involvement. Snehasish Ganguly had persuaded Videocon to join hands with the CAB, he said.