IPL 2018: KKR, RCB yet to finalize their title sponsors for the season

Over the years, the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Royal Challengers Bangalore have made a big name for themselves in the IPL. They are two of the most popular sides in the competition. Both KKR and RCB are the fancied teams when it comes to the popularity. However, as it stands out at the moment, both the franchises are yet to zero in on their title sponsors for the upcoming edition of the coveted T20 league.

As per the reports in Inside Sport, four teams are yet to sign their sponsorship deals for the upcoming season of IPL. Apart from RCB and KKR, the other two teams waiting for title sponsors are Rajasthan Royals and the Sunrisers Hyderabad. It is worth noting that Gionee, the Chinese mobile company, was a sponsor of both Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Kolkata Knight Riders last year.

However, this year, the company has decided not to throw any sponsorship budget for the IPL. Reportedly, the Knight Riders are in talks with the mobile manufacturing brand Nokia. Nokia had earlier been the title sponsors of the KKR camp for seven successive editions of the tournament.

Their contract came to a close with Gionee replacing them last season. With Gionee backing out, RCB and KKR are left with a void in their title sponsorship bracket. This comes as a surprise considering the fact that the sides have two big marketable celebrities (Virat Kohli and Shah Rukh Khan) in their respective ranks.

CSK, KXIP strike sponsorship deals

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals look set to finalize their title sponsors by Tuesday. Chennai Super Kings have signed a deal with the Muthoot Group. Gulf Oil, Equitas Small Finance Bank, HIL, Nippon Paint, Frooti and Act Fibernet are the other sponsors on board for CSK. Kings XI Punjab have signed Kent RO as the title sponsors. Last year, they were sponsored by Hero Cycles.

There are three other Principal Sponsors and six associate sponsors – taking the brand association tally for the KXIP to 10, in addition to two partnerships – kit partner T10 Sports and refreshment partners Tic Tac.

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