MS Dhoni reportedly duped by Spartan for over 20 crores

Indian skipper MS Dhoni has retired from the Test format and has limited assignments at hand for the year but continues to remain one of the most sought after faces in the advertisement industry. A recent research report had revealed that Dhoni has more commercial airtime and that edges him ahead of Test skipper Virat Kohli who is at his best on and off the cricket field.

The limited overs skipper also took over Virat in the list of top 10 sportspersons from the perspective of brands. A PTI report today suggested that Dhoni has been duped by Spartan Sports a sporting gear and equipment company for over Rs. 20 crores.

It stated that MSD had signed a three-year bat and sponsorship deal worth Rs. 13 crores with the Australian company and it has all gone sour since Spartan has been regularly defaulting payments. The total amount that the company owes him is over Rs. 20 crores which includes endorsement fees and the royalty payable.

PTI quoted sources in legal firm advising Rhiti Sports, Dhoni’s management company, saying that Spartan has only cleared four installments since December 2013 when the contract was signed and the latest payment was made in March this year.

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Arun Pandey chairman of Rhiti Sports chairman that manages Dhoni’s commercial interests though sounded unconcerned and said, “everything is not smooth and hopefully the matter will be resolved soon”.

Pandey denied to disclose any details but it is also learnt that Rhiti Sports is planning to take legal action against Spartan.

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Apart from MS Dhoni, Spartan has a list of big names endorsing it which includes the likes of – Chris Gayle, Eoin Morgan, Joe Burns, Gurinder Sandhu among the current players and former players like Aussie skipper Michael Clarke, Mitchell Johnson and Sir Vivian Richards among others.

(News based on reports circulated by PTI published by major news agencies)