Prabhakaran Thanraj

A new era begins today. In less than 12 hours, the first ball of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 will be bowled, marking the dawn of a bold new era for our sport. More than just a bigger and better tournament, this event marks the realization of an audacious dream. All too often, we celebrate sports events and praise superhuman performances; occasionally, we might also remember the people behind the scenes who have sacrificed a lot to make it happen, toiling night and day for months. Rarely, however, do we pause to thank those who set the vision and empowered the team to deliver it all in the first place. I doff my hat to our Board, who set us a challenge in November 2021 when they confirmed that the very first major event of our new cycle would be co-hosted in the US. Today, 928 days after that announcement, we are on the cusp of making history. We are ready to play World Cup matches in the USA, half of them in a 34,000-capacity venue that was merely a patch of green field only 100 days ago. It comes down to grit and determination, but above all, self-belief when you deliver such audacious goals. That’s what our Board has done – it gave us the confidence that we could do this. Sports administrators are easy targets. Sports, such as cricket, go beyond being mere sports. They are, as we never stop saying, a religion to diehard fans. With that undying love for the game comes unrelenting scrutiny of its administrators. Under that microscope, it is human tendency to see the flaws much more readily. Often, the right decisions tend not to be talked about much – they simply become an expectation. Viewed that way, it was easier for our Board to simply deliver the expected and not risk it all on a difficult decision. The easier way out would be to delay hosting in the USA until 2030, which was the other option. But would that have been the right call when our strategy called for the growth of the game, and the world’s biggest sports market was the obvious place to start for the second biggest sport in the world? Today, as the work of the last three years culminates in the start of an epic tournament that we will all hopefully remember for a long time, I look forward to it with gratitude in my heart for our Board that laid that strategic vision, backed it all the way, and allowed this audacious dream to become possible. Thanks for this #OutOfThisWorld vision!

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Indian sports business news last week's Updates 1 Jetapult takes major stake in Saudi-based UMX for $4.5m in an all-cash deal 2 White Gold Money partner with Bengaluru Bulls for this season 3 Telugu Titans securing other strategic partnerships with Lubi Industries LLP and Moo Chuu India also with Bicycle, under Art of Cards, and Pace International, 4 Tamil Thalaivas partnership with MyMaster11 5 Mumbai City FC - OPPO India as official smartphone partner 6 Tennis Premier League partners with VM Insulation Winding Wires and Binnys Jewellery 7 Tennis Premier League media rights agreement with Viacom18 8 Sourav Ganguly - JSW Sports as Director of Cricket 9 East Bengal FC partnered with Ampere EV 10 Pro Kabaddi League - Red Bull as energy drink partner 11 VIP Clothing partnership with Kerala Blasters FC 12 Sony Sports Network to broadcast I-League 2024-25 13 Shillong Lajong partnered with Royal Challenge water 14 India to host the 20th edition of the prestigious Asian Women’s Handball Championship in New Delhi from December 1 to 10, 2024 15 HYROX, a fitness racing event company , announced the launch of HYROX India, a joint venture with Yoska, a Bengaluru-based fit-tech and endurance event company. 16 Wonder Cement Ltd. sponsor for India’s Tour of South Africa, beginning in November. 17 Puma India announces the collaboration of two exceptional Indian women cricketers, Asha Sobhana and Sajana Sajeevan, as brand collaborators 18 The first-ever Kho Kho World Cup will be held at the Thyagraj Stadium in New Delhi from January 13 to 19 next year 19 GMR Group and JSW Group, on Thursday, announced that they would be distributing the running of cricketing operations of the Delhi Capitals IPL (men) and the Delhi Capitals WPL (women) teams between the two ownership groups on a two-year rotational basis. 20 SG Sports, Media & Entertainment (SGSE), part of the APL Apollo Group, has appointed senior sports editor Digvijay Singh Deo as vice president 21 Mother Dairy has announced its official association as the ‘Dairy Partner’ for the upcoming 2024 season of the Pro Kabaddi League 22 Major League Baseball (MLB) is taking another significant step to engage Indian sports fans by associating with Shikhar Dhawan for its highly anticipated talent hunt - MLB HotShots 23 Wybor consumer electronics brand by MEPL Group, announced the signing of Indian cricketer Axar Patel as its brand ambassador 24 Uttar Pradesh Super League (UPSL), will be played in March-April 2025 25 Rainmatter has joined hands with Simply Periods initiative by Simply Sport 26 Patna Pirates renew alliance with League11 #sports #sportsnews

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Nazara Technologies has acquired an additional 19.35% share in Absolute Sports, the parent firm of Sportskeeda, for ₹145.5 Crores. Sportskeeda, Absolute Sports' flagship brand, reaches millions of sports fans globally each month, with significant traction in India and the US, where it ranks among the top sports platforms. In addition, Absolute Sports has recently expanded by acquiring Pro Football Network (PFN), SoapCentral, and Deltia's Gaming, further diversifying its sports and entertainment portfolio. This deal solidifies Nazara's leadership position in the sports media domain and showcases its commitment to supporting innovative teams that deliver transformational growth. Key Highlights of the Deal: - Acquisition Amount: ₹145.5 crores, with 50% paid in cash and the remaining in stock - Total Ownership: Nazara now holds 91% of Absolute Sports - Future Growth Plans: Nazara is targeting acquisitions in offline gaming and publishing sectors - Fundraising: Nazara plans to raise ₹900 crores for strategic acquisitions and business expansion What's Next for Nazara? Nazara has already received a letter of intent for acquiring Smaaash Entertainment, a sports entertainment venture backed by Sachin Tendulkar. The company has also made a strategic investment in the blockchain space, acquiring a 15.86% stake in Stan, a blockchain-based e-sports fan engagement startup. Nazara Technologies is expanding its portfolio through smart investments and acquisitions, establishing itself as a leader in the gaming and esports sectors. What are your thoughts on this acquisition? #NazaraTechnologies #Sportskeeda #AbsoluteSports #Acquisition #SportsMedia

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Age cheating in youth competitions is a growing concern, impacting the future of football. Six entities in Indian football have united to address this issue, emphasizing the urgent need for a revamped age verification process. It's crucial for all stakeholders to unite and raise their voices against age fraud cases. My latest video delves into the menace of age fraud in Indian football. Share your thoughts and feedback to join the conversation. #YouthFootball #AgeFraud #IndianFootball https://lnkd.in/gNndZgEE

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Government of India has published a draft National Sports Governance Bill 2024. This is an excellent step by the Ministry of Sports to arrest the massive governance issues Indian sports is facing currently. If this bill is enacted then India will have a Sports Regulatory Board and other measures to improve good governance in sports including limiting the intervention of civil courts in the matters of sports. Ministry is open to receiving the feedback and comments on the draft bill by 25th October 2024. Hoping that this bill will be enacted within next few months. #sports #governance #sportsgovernance #sportsbill

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Kudos to the International Cricket Council for taking a chance and showing what a huge market the US could be for the second largest sport in the world. Next phase should be focussed on building the infrastructure, strengthen the organization and refining the guiding principles of USA Cricket Team USA had a dream run: 1. Getting a spot in the WorldCup 2. Beating Bangladesh in the warm up series 3. Beating Canada and Pakistan in the group games 4. Getting so close against India and South Africa 5. Making it to the Super 8s, first Associate member to ever do so in their first worldcup entry 6. Reality check against Cricket West Indies (CWI) and England 7. Getting a ticket to the 2026 #T20WorldCup in Ind/SL There is so much to look forward to for #USAcricket We are rooting for you, there will be a lot of international series in the next 2 years as team prepares for the next cup. With the recent success of the team and media coverage across the continent, will new corporates get behind USA Cricket? How will the board go about it? Will and when will the board hire the next CEO? A dedicated team to run the organization. Sponsors to support and cover costs. #WeAreUSAcricket #youthcricket DAS Cricket Academy Stelton Sports

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Are you aware of all the technologies that are used in a Professional League or a major tournament? A few have been listed in this article by @TheSportzPlanet

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FIFA is looking to raise between $1 billion to $2 billion to expand its streaming platform, FIFA+. And this has many people perplexed 🤔, wondering why FIFA would dilute its stake in its own streaming venture, and whether it's a move to de-risk the project. As someone who's been following the business of football closely, here are my 2 cents 💭: Firstly, FIFA+ helps FIFA to monetize and distribute its extensive inventory of IP, such as match footage, shows, and even smaller leagues and properties from across the world. It's really becoming a one-stop-shop for everything football!🏟️⚽ I've noticed that FIFA has been investing in and promoting new properties, from the FIFA Club World Cup to reviving the Arab Cup as the FIFA Arab Cup. The first edition in 2021 was a remarkable success, and 2025 is expected to be another winner. 🌍🏆 They're also partnering with AIFF to support the Santosh Trophy, one of India's oldest inter-state tournaments. Getting that content on FIFA+ is a smart move to tap into the massive Indian football market. 🇮🇳🏆 And FIFA, together with Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF), has been pushing the African Football League, with the first edition being live on FIFA+ in non-African markets. Expanding the reach of these emerging properties is key. 🌍🏆 By having all these diverse offerings on a platform like FIFA+, they're really catering to football fans worldwide. But of course, acquiring and distributing these new properties requires investment, and that's likely where this $1-2 billion will come in handy. 💰💡 Another interesting angle is the FIFA World Cup. It's FIFA's crown jewel, but it's still underperforming in terms of return on investment and rights revenue in some markets. A subscription model could help them monetize it better, similar to what Formula 1 has done with F1 TV. 📈🌍 And if the FIFA Club World Cup really takes off and becomes a competition on par with the UEFA Champions League, FIFA would have two high-value properties. Offering those via a subscription model could be a game-changer in terms of profitability, especially in underperforming markets. 💰🏆 It's a fascinating time in the business of football, and FIFA's move to raise this war chest for FIFA+ is definitely one to watch. As a football fan and industry observer, I'm really curious to see how it all plays out. 🤔⚽ Please do share your opinions below 👇 #FIFAPlus #SportsBusiness #StreamingRights #FootballMonetization #InvestmentOpportunity

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Unlocking Success in Football: The Key to Building a Winning Team Discover the crucial role that numbers play in achieving success in football. Join us as we delve into the importance of a strong team and strategic player positions. #FootballSuccess #TeamBuilding #WinningTactics #StrategicPositions #UnlockingPotential #BuildingATeam #FootballStrategy #GameChangers #TeamworkMatters #FootballWins

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India needs sports infrastructure for the growth of sports is partially incorrect. A more accurate statement would be - India needs efficient operational management of sports infrastructure to turn it revenue-positive for growth of sports. Consider this: nearly 50% ( all stadiums ) of sports infrastructure in the country is under-utilised or in disrepair due to inefficient operational handling. We need good people to manage and grow it. Addressing this issue is crucial for maximising the potential of existing facilities and fostering the growth of sports across India. #india #sports #sportsbiz #operations #efficiency #revenues

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Indian sports business news last week's Updates 1 Viacom18 and Disney announced , that the merger and its new OTT website - JioStar - has been launched And Ishaan Chatterjee has been appointed as the Head of Business, Sports Revenue, SMB, and Creator 2 AIFF award the bid to Shrachi Sports Endeavour Pvt. Ltd, the lone party interested to telecast I-League, I-League 2, Indian Women’s League, final round matches of the Santosh Trophy and the senior women’s national championship, for which a tender was floated on October 23, 3 PUMA India and Accenture have teamed up to further strengthen the sports brand’s supply chain and distribution network in india 4 BCCI announced the Indian women’s cricket team’s schedule for the upcoming home series against West Indies and Ireland. 5 The 2025 edition of the Hero Indian Open, a part of the DP World Tour, will take place from March 27-30 and will carry a prize money of $2.25 million, the same as this year's edition, the Indian Golf Union has announced. 6 The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) announced the appointment of Amandeep Johl as its new chief executive officer, effective 1st January, 2025. 7 The Punjab Sports Department has proudly announced partnership with Minerva Football Academy’s Delhi FC 8 Livpure, principal sponsor of Real Kashmir Football Club (RKFC). 9 Cloud gaming platform OnePlay has onboarding of Nodwin Gaming co-founder and MD Akshat Rathee as a strategic investor and member of its advisory board. 10,88 Pictures, animation and VFX studio launch of its new gaming division, 88Games 11, (NRAI), has issued an invite to qualified commercial & marketing agents to submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) to drive the commercial growth and visibility of the inaugural edition of the Shooting League of India (SLI) 12 Yuvraj Singh launch of his new venture, Twiddles – a brand dedicated to providing guilt-free, wholesome snacks 13 Police two-year partnership with Indian cricket star KL Rahul 14 Melbourne will host Australia’s first-ever Pro Kabaddi League exhibition match, w Scheduled for 28 December this year 15 Bingo Snacks has a five-year partnership with the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) to promote the sport in India. Mandira Bedi new brand ambassador 16 TCM Sports Management bags commercial sponsorship rights to ACC Asia Cup until 2031 17 CoinDCX has onboarded Gautam Gambhir as its new brand ambassador. 18 Kenyan Beatrice Chebet, will headline the inaugural SFC Global 10K, Navi Mumbai, scheduled to be run in Navi Mumbai on February 16. 19 HIL team Gonasika onboards Sanjay Dutt as brand ambassador 20 David Warner teams up with Quick Vitals to promote smart health solutions in India 21 Nepal Cricket and Star Sports signs NPL alliance 22 MC Mary Kom partner with Bournvita 23 JSW Sports, along with MG Motor India, honored the medalists with the MG Windsor. 24 Bopanna/Ebden won their final game as a duo at ATP finals #sportsnews

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A New Era for Sports in Kerala: Opportunities and Challenges Ahead With the launch of two major leagues: the Kerala Cricket League and the Kerala Football League. These new properties are sparking interest and anticipation among sports enthusiasts and entrepreneurs alike. However, as with any new venture, there are challenges. Teams are seeking significant sponsorships without solid data on viewership and conversion rates. While cricket, with its established commercial value, might attract sponsors more easily, football faces structural issues. The state league format doesn't provide a pathway to national recognition or higher divisions, potentially sidelining local talent in favor of international players. Despite these hurdles, the upcoming leagues present a unique opportunity for Kerala. If athletes from the state shine in the ongoing Paris Olympics, brands will flock to associate with these stars. Even without Olympic success, the focus will remain on medal-winning athletes from across the country. On a positive note, these leagues will generate short-term employment opportunities and internships, especially for sports management students from Kerala's growing number of sports management colleges. This could encourage passionate sports lovers to stay and work in the state, enriching the local sports ecosystem. A word of caution to the teams: avoid overselling. The sponsorship market is already competitive, and unmet promises can tarnish future prospects. Understanding the market and delivering on commitments is crucial. The success of these leagues hinges not just on numbers but on how well the talent is nurtured and promoted. Treating players with respect and providing them with opportunities is essential to ensure the growth and sustainability of these leagues. you can Support by just watching a game in person or online . it will help the sport Commercially #KeralaSports #KeralaLeague #KeralaFootballLeague #SportsManagement #Sponsorship

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Indian sports business news last week updated - June 30 update 1 BFI Announces ACG Sports as the Organising Partner of National Star Basketball League The Letter of Award (LOA) was given at a price of INR 20.6 Crores annually on 5x5 league & INR 10.3 Crores annually on 3x3 league for the next 7 years, a total investment of INR 216.30 crores. 2 Veedol, the lubricant brand under Tide Water Oil Co. (India) Ltd., has appointed cricket icon Sourav Ganguly as its brand ambassador 3 Los Angeles Knight Riders onboard Crickex as principal sponsor for MLC 2024 4 MI New York announce FOMO7 as associate partner for MLC 2024 5 Sony Pictures Networks India obtains exclusive media rights to India tour of Zimbabwe 2024 6 Star Sports renews broadcast rights to Lanka Premier League for 2024 edition 7 FanCode extends exclusive Lanka Premier League rights for three years 8 Gravolite India Pvt. Ltd. partners with Wrestling Federation of India for upcoming World Championship 2024 trials - Gravolite,sports mat manufacturers in India, became the official supplier of wrestling mats for the upcoming world wrestling championship for men & women trials under17 & under20 category scheduled to be held on 24 June in Noida Stadium. 9 NODWIN Gaming to raise its holding in Freaks 4U   European esports co. to 100% via share swap 10 Max Level wins PR mandates of NODWIN Gaming, SuperGaming 11 NODWIN announces BGMS Season 3; on Star Sports 12 Nazara Publishing partners with nCore to launch FAU-G 13 Tech Mahindra Global Chess League to Host its Second Edition in London- The Global Chess League, a joint initiative between the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Tech Mahindra, The 10-day, one-of-a-kind chess league featuring top players will take place at Friends House, located in the heart of central London, from October 3rd to 12th, 2024 Reliance Foundation & IOA Announce First-Ever India House at Paris Olympics 2024 14 Kapil Dev has been elected as the new president of the Professional Golf Tour of India(PGTI). He was elected after the previous president, H Srinivasan, withdrew his candidature for the President's post 15 The Sport Climbing Federation of India (SCFI) has appointed Dr Rajmohan Pillai as its new president while Sushil Malik is the vice-president. Also, Sushil Kumar has been elected as the president of the Haryana State Federation 16 Indian Poker player Santhosh Suvarna has won his second World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet and is taking home a prize of INR 45+ Crore #sportsbusiness

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Sharda Ugra has been a force to reckon with in Indian sports journalism for over three decades. On World Sports Journalists Day, I asked her what exactly it is about sports that makes it such a unifying force, and if journalism in sports is still doing what it was meant to - ‘educate, rather than entertain’! Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/gVhM7sP7

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Title : The Journey to becoming Top 5 Academies in Dubai Article: In the ever-evolving world of football, innovation is the key to staying ahead. We pride ourselves on not just keeping up with the latest trends but setting them. I am constantly exploring new strategies to attract and retain our customer. One of the most critical aspects of our sales strategy is a deep understanding of our customers’ needs. We invest considerable time and resources into market research and customer feedback. This allows me as the CEO to tailor our offerings to meet the specific needs of each athlete and their families. Whether it’s personalized training programs or flexible one on one program, our customer-centric approach ensures satisfaction and loyalty. Technology plays a significant role in our sales strategy. We use an advanced CRM system to track customer interactions and preferences, enabling us to provide a more personalized experience. Additionally, our digital presence, including a robust social media strategy and engaging content, helps us reach a broader audience and build a strong online community. Another innovative approach we take is leveraging data analytics. By analyzing performance data, we can offer insights and recommendations that are highly valued by our customers. This data-driven approach not only enhances the training experience but also builds trust and credibility with our clients. Lastly, we focus on building long-term relationships. We offer value-added services such as nutrition counseling and mental health support, creating a holistic approach to athlete development. This comprehensive support system ensures our clients see us as partners in their journey, rather than just a service provider.

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Certainly not a good news for India's Sports Industry's Poster Boy. Fall of 11.7% in it's valuation and certainly more fall for teams individual valuation. Javed Farooqui - Loved the coverage of the merger and it's impact on Indian Sports Industry. #sports #sportsbiz #india

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## Untold success story Empowering Grassroots Talent: Siddi Tribal Athletes Shine in Sports In the last two years, a groundbreaking initiative led by the Center for Sports Science (CSS), Bangalore, in collaboration with the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, has made significant strides in identifying and nurturing sports talent among the Siddi Tribal community. This grassroots talent identification and development program aimed to bridge the gap for underrepresented communities, fostering inclusivity in sports. Under the visionary leadership of the Additional Chief Secretary for Sports, this program utilized advanced methodologies and cutting-edge sports science techniques to evaluate and enhance the athletic potential of participants. The initiative focused on physical, skill, and cognitive assessments to ensure a comprehensive talent scouting process. The Siddi Tribal athletes, known for their exceptional natural abilities, showcased remarkable potential in various disciplines. This initiative not only identified promising athletes but also provided them with the necessary training, resources, and support to compete on national and international platforms. This program is a testament to how focused efforts and innovative approaches can empower communities and elevate hidden talents, contributing to India's sporting ecosystem. Key Achievements: Identification of exceptional sports talent among the Siddi Tribal community Implementation of scientific evaluation and training techniques. Empowerment of grassroots athletes to pursue careers in sports. #SiddiAthletes #GrassrootsSports #SportsScience #YouthEmpowerment #InclusiveSports #SportsForAll #TribalTalent #IndiaAthletics #CommunityDevelopment #SportsLeadership #BangaloreInitiatives #EmpoweringAthletes

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🏏 Exciting changes ahead! Here are the retention rules for the IPL 2025 Auction: ▪️ Teams can opt for a combination of retentions and Right to Match (RTM) cards at their discretion, with a maximum of 6 players. ▪️ Maximum 5 capped (Indian & overseas) & 2 uncapped allowed. ▪️ ₹120Cr Purse for teams. ▪️ ₹1.05Cr match fees for players introduced, as announced by Jay Shah himself. ▪️ 2-year ban for players withdrawing after getting picked. ▪️ Mega Auction registration is mandatory for Mini Auction participation. ▪️ Indian players who retired/ haven't played International Cricket (any format) for at least 5 years will be considered uncapped. What’s going to shake things up this year? ₹75Cr will be deducted from the auction purse if a franchise retains 5 players. This would leave the franchise with ₹45Cr in the auction pool. Moreover, the 4th retention comes at a price of ₹18Cr and the 5th retention will cost ₹14Cr! This will definitely keep teams on their toes as they strategize for the big event! 🔥 What are your thoughts on these changes? How do you think it will impact your favourite team's strategy? 💬 #IPLMegaAuction2025 #IPLRetentions #IPL #Cricket #Sportbiz

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