WPL franchises barred from associating with cryptocurrency, blockchain branding

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed all five Women's Premier League franchises from associating with any kind of cryptocurrency or blockchain branding during the functioning of the inaugural WPL 2023. 

The BCCI clarified that the franchises associating in any sort of branding with fantasy sports platforms will not be a matter of concern, but that should be without the involvement of any sort of gambling, betting, cryptocurrencies, real money and tobacco sectors.

"No Franchisee shall undertake a partnership or any kind of association with an entity that is in any way connected/related to an entity that is involved/operates, directly or indirectly, in the betting/gambling/real money gaming/tobacco sector. The Franchisees may engage in partnerships with entities in the fantasy sports sector," the BCCI said in a statement as reported by Cricbuzz.

The BCCI has instructed all the WPL franchisees to submit copies of all commercial agreements ten days prior to the commencement of the tournament, which is scheduled to take place from March 4 to March 26, 2023. This was an elaborately explained communication, which the BCCI termed as a Commercial Workbook.

"The franchisees should provide full details of the rights and benefits that will be utilized by their sponsors, not less than 10 days before the start of the season, as per the franchise commercial deliverables sheet, which will be shared by the BCCI," the statement read.

Further, stren instructions in the lengthy 68-page advisory strictly demanded the WPL franchisees to maintain with full honesty the sanctity of the statement and also practice the same to the fullest, non-compliance of which will lead to undertaking of severe action.

"No Franchisee shall undertake a partnership or any kind of association with an entity that is in any way connected/related to an entity that is involved/operates, directly or indirectly, in the cryptocurrency sector. As an obvious consequence, any contractual arrangement with any blockchain service provider, fan tokens, collectables, that are directly or indirectly affiliated to the cryptocurrency sector are a no-no for the WPL. These guidelines form part of the WPL regulations and any breaches of these guidelines will be dealt with as per the provisions of section 6 of the Operational Rules. Any breaches of the Clothing & Equipment Regulations will be dealt with as per the provisions of the Disciplinary process," the BCCI said.

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