As we observe, IPL players are becoming more popular than Bollywood stars in advertising campaigns.
IPL players, with their unique traits, match the brand’s identity which is why model contracts succeed.
These sports endorsements are highly effective because the fans do trust the IPL players.
The brand gets more exposure and visibility through collaborations with IPL players.
The joy of watching the players is a sheer delight during the IPL season.
Have you ever wondered why your favorite IPL players appear in every advertisement during the season?
It’s a reality now, and why not, after all, IPL cricketers have the highest brand equity among cricketers.
During IPL 2024, sports celebrities accounted for no less than 50% of all endorsed advertising volume, outstripping even Bollywood celebrities, who were at 36%
Since Virat is always talking about staying fit and working hard, his signing with Puma for a massive 110 crore deal back in 2017 felt like a match.
He even started his own One8 line with them, which mixes his love for sports with some serious style.
Rohit Sharma from Mumbai Indians with Hublot
Rohit’s got this classy, laid-back appeal, which is why luxury watch brand Hublot picked him in 2018.
With his record-breaking batting — like the highest ODI score ever — he’s the kind of guy who makes a fancy watch look even cooler.
Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans with boAt
Hardik is young, bold, and full of energy, so teaming up with boAt in 2023 was a no-brainer.
He looks great in their audio gear, and the fans love seeing him rock those boAt earbuds.
MS Dhoni from Chennai Super Kings with Dream11
Dhoni’s the guy everyone trusts, so when he became Dream11’s face in 2018, it just made sense.
His calm leadership on and off the pitch makes fans think they will make a smart choice picking this fantasy sports app.
KL Rahul from Lucknow SuperGiants with Noise
With that carefree, trendy look KL Rahul is rocking, it’s not surprising that Noise smartwatches chose him in 2022.
He makes their tech look like something you would actually wear every day as a trendy brand.
These partnerships aren’t just random — they’re all about matching the player’s personality with the brand’s vibe. It’s that synergy that makes the collaborations feel so effortless, like how Virat’s hustle fits Puma, and Rohit’s elegance screams Hublot.
The data below concludes that CSK (brand value up 52% to USD 122 million) emerged as the league’s most valuable team.
Why These Partnerships Are a Total Win
Sponsorships offered by commercial brands now come hand in hand with player partnerships in the IPL, and for good reason.
As the season kicks off, brands are guaranteed to get unbelievable spectacles that draw audience attention, big bucks sponsorships, and endless peg deals.
Brands have an opportunity to tap into these power combos and associate themselves with increased visibility and brand engagement in cricket.
So, what makes these player-brand team-ups so awesome?
Here’s why they’re working so well:
Fans Trust Them: When Dhoni backs Dream11, it’s like getting a tip from a friend you know has your back.
They Share the Same Vibe: For Puma, it feels like a natural fit with Virat’s off-the-field dedication to fitness because their brand image is sporty.
They Bring the Hype: Hardik gives the same energy in boAt ads that he brings to the field, off the device, he dynamically engages and excites you to try it.
They Keep It Relatable: Noise is an inline wearable device that has a vibe most people would appreciate, and KL Rahul’s style epitomizes that.
They Reach Tons of People: With millions of followers, these players get the brand in front of so many eyes — Rohit’s Hublot posts alone go global.
These are all things about creating a connection between the player, the brand, and the fans that feels genuine and fun.
Do You Know? The first official IPL ad campaign was launched during the inaugural season in 2008.
Why It’s So Much Fun to Watch
Seeing these IPL stars as brand ambassadors is one of the most enjoyable things about the league.
It is wonderful that they’re not only playing cricket, but also giving their audience lessons on living life with excitement and panache.
Be it Virat getting us to hit the gym with Puma or Hardik making us want to blast music with boAt.
These partnerships add an extra layer of excitement to the IPL season, making us feel like we’re part of their world.
So, next see your favorite player in an ad, drop a high-five to them because, unlike in the sport where they score runs, in advertisements, they are winning in branding.
Let’s support these suburban champions behind the scenes and buckle up for the joyride!
FAQs
Ans: IPL players are followed by a huge number of fans, therefore, they serve as a great marketing strategy for advertisement targeted to a larger community.
Ans: Brands go for players whose persona represents the image of their brand, for example, V. Kohli sticks to fitness.
Ans: Big deals include V. Kohli with Puma, Ms. Dhoni with Dream 11, and Rohit Sharma with Hublot.
Ans: The fans are able to relate to the characters, which makes the advertisements interesting and touching.
