Pusarla Venkata Sindhu, India’s Rio Olympic 2016 silver medallist, has been attracting sponsorship deals aplenty after her success at the biggest stage of them all. The badminton star has now reportedly been offered multiple deals worth Rs 50 Crore for a period of three years. The news was first broken by the Times of India (TOI), who reported that the shuttler will become the highest earning athlete in the country apart from the cricket players.
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Reports also suggested that the 21-year-old has finalized a deal with a marketing company known as Baseline Ventures. The sports marketing, entertainment and brand licensing firm will be responsible for Sindhu’s image, brand management and licensing for the next three years. The managing director and co-founder of Baseline, Tuhin Mishra, told the TOI that it will be the best deal to have ever been signed by an Indian shuttler.
Mishra said, “Her soaring popularity has attracted the attention of so many companies. In the next three years, we will work to maximise her value. Even after achieving stupendous success, her humility and the value she brings to women power is remarkable.”
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It was reported that around 16 companies were in the running to have Sindhu’s signature for endorsing their products, and Mishra stated that the shuttler will be signing with a total of nine brands in the coming days.“In the last few days we've had intense discussion on whom to endorse. So far we have finalised nine companies. Maybe by the end of next week we will be signing with them. As for the rest, we are yet to take a decision.”
Mishra also shared what type of brands Sindhu has chosen to endorse. “We have finalised deals with financial institutions, women-centric brands etc. At this stage I cannot disclose the complete details.”
No endorsement of products having an adverse influence on youngsters
The 21-year old shuttler will also follow in the footsteps of her coach Pullela Gopichand as she might not endorse cola brands. Mishra said that his client will not be endorsing products which might have an adverse influence on the young people. “Another important aspect is that she will allocate very limited time for commercials. Her practice time will not be affected,” Mishra said.
The managing director of the firm was also asked about the exact earnings of the shuttler to which he replied, “I can't give a figure now but given the response that we are getting and the sponsors we have on board, Sindhu's will be the best deal that a non-cricket star can get.”
