Nike likely to co-sponsor Bengal cricket board

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is in talks with sports-gear major Nike to get it as co-sponsor, in addition to current sponsor Videocon and co-sponsor Pepsi.

Samar Pal, joint secretary of the CAB, said the association had approached Jatin Paranjape, a former Ranji player of Maharashtra who is now the national marketing chief of Nike, and has got a positive response.

?We approached him to provide the kits for the Bengal players. Hopefully, he will keep our request,? Pal said, while denying reports that Pepsi is walking out of its sponsorship. He said Nike has not been asked for any money, but is expected to provide its best clothing.

Videocon has been sponsoring the Bengal team for the Ranji Trophy for the past four years. Insiders said Videocon pays Rs 60 lakh a year, while Pepsi gives Rs 20 lakh.

In return, Bengal players sport the Videocon logo on their jersey fronts, and the Pepsi logo on their left shoulder. Now, Nike will provide the jersey, trouser, socks and cricket shoes. The shoes will carry the Nike logo.

Pal said that once Nike signs the deal, the CAB will talk to Videocon and Pepsi to see if they have any objection to the players sporting the Nike logo on their shirt backs.

Following the CAB elections on July 28, when the followers of former CAB boss Jagmohan Dalmiya lost their seats, there had been talk that Pepsi would part ways with the CAB.

However, Punita Lal, Pepsi?s executive director for marketing, denied this while pointing out that Pepsi has had a long association with cricket through regional and national associations.

?In Bengal, too, cricket is a popular sport and we have sponsored many matches organised by the CAB. Similar such opportunities exist in the country to promote cricket and we will keep engaging with them as they come our way,? Lal said in an emailed reply.

?We have, in the past, sponsored a number of domestic matches organised by the CAB. On international level, Pepsi is open to looking at sponsoring internationals,? she said.

Meanwhile, the BCCI has assured the CAB that it will fund the entire cost of Rs 30 crore for building a regional cricket academy at Rajarhat.