Indian cricketers cannot endorse any product or service while playing international matches for Team India, marketing rights for which belong only to BCCI.
NEW DELHI: Whether they like it or not, Indian cricketers cannot endorse any product or service while playing international matches for Team India, marketing rights for which belong only to BCCI, the cricketing body has said.
"The players can only enter agreement for rights which only belong to them and not those which pertain to their performance on the field representing Team India, which is selected and promoted by BCCI," the apex cricket body said in its reply to anti-monopoly watchdog MRTPC.
Making a submission in the case between global sportswear majors Nike and Adidas over rights to use Sachin Tendulkar for promotions, BCCI said the endorsement and advertisement rights pertaining to players representing India in all international matches has an overriding effect on all other contractual agreements that individual players have with different companies.
"BCCI is the body responsible for promotion and administration of the game of cricket in the country and the players who play in matches representing the country so do under the agreement entered into with the BCCI," it said.
While Nike has a five-year contract with BCCI for the cricket team's on-field uniform, Adidas has signed up Tendulkar for its promotional campaigns.
Adidas has alleged that Nike was violating its exclusive personal endorsement agreement with Tendulkar by using his name for promoting its products and has sought compensation.
In its five-page reply dismissing claims of Adidas on Tendulkar, BCCI also washed its hands of the matter saying it had no control over Nike.
"Answering respondent (BCCI) could not ensure that Nike India does not include in such advertisements because it has no control over the affairs of Nike India which is a separate corporate entity," BCCI said, advising Adidas to approach civil courts over the issue as MRTPC was not the appropriate forum.
Moreover, BCCI also accused Adidas of harassing it by filing frivolous allegations as it 'failed to procure the contract' for supplying footwear and clothing apparel and related cricket accessories for the players.
"It (Adidas) is trying to harass (BCCI) by filing frivolous and baseless proceedings before this commission which are not maintainable in law as well in facts," alleged the cricket body.
"The contract was awarded to Nike because of higher price and better technical standards," said BCCI, requesting MRTPC to return Adidas' petition.
On May 25, admitting a petition by Adidas, MRTPC had issued notices to Nike, BCCI, Tendulkar and his business managing firm Iconix, directing them to file replies.
Nike has already filed its reply, denying all the allegations made by Adidas.
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