In IPL auctions, cricketers were sold and there was a huge hue and cry all over. Right from common man to Balasaaheb Thakare everyone expressed their rage over these auctions.
Our Cricketers are commodities which sell in the market. It was clear from the days when Ganguly first did Coke advertise and then shifted to Pepsi. But the IPL auctions have brought this fact more vividly to the forefront and suddenly everyone realised what is going on.
Accumulating wealth is not a bad thing if it is earned through a correct means. Apparently The cricketers are earning them through their skills and hardwork. But if we go to the root of this money, we will find who are paying this money, the companies or indian consumer.
The companies who have paid such huge sum of money to these players want to promote their brand on the pretext of serving cricket. Though they will enlarge their market presence through it, this costly advertsing will increase the cost of their products/services. This cost will have to be beared by the ordinary consumners.
So cricket will become more popular, but we should remember that we are paying for it, for our national obsession and not BCCI or any sponsor.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
IPL Auctions
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5 comments:
Initially, when I first heard about IPL, I felt the exact same way you do. However, since then, my opinion has done a complete 180.
Sponsors have spent anywhere from 400 crores to 5 for getting their foot in the door. Yes, the figures are huge. Yes, all brands eventually extract money from the consumer's pocket. Yes, IPL is no exception. But it isn't the ruling offender either.
Most of these brands have been investing in cricket for a long time. There hasn't been an undue increment in the prices of their products after their IPL investment.
Other than the traditional advertisers, not a single company sponsoring or advertising on IPL is from the fast moving consumer goods sector, who are also among the biggest advertisers on TV.
Incidentally, the advertising rates of Paanchvi Paas are higher than the IPL. Vodafone spent Rs. 20 lakh for being the presenting sponsor on IPL. Airtel had to dish out Rs.50 lakh for the same slot on Paanchvi Paas.
In fact, I have come to believe that via IPL, players who previously fought against each other(in more ways than one :P) have learnt to play as a team!
Somewhere, geographical boundaries dim and disappear when we see Ponting advising Ishant Sharma on the weak points of a fellow Australian player who is now a part of the opposing team.
Young cricketers who had to wait ages to get a chance at international cricket, are now able to play in the major leagues.
Hitherto unknown players like Ravindra Jadeja or Swapnil Asnodkar are now being coached by someone with the experience and calibre of Shane Warne!
All things considered, IPL is a good thing for Indian cricket. I believe, it is also a good thing for the Indian economy. Hopefully, it will also become a lesson in peaceful coexistance on and off the field.
In fact, it's pretty shameful to see the lack of basic courtesy amongst people from the same side of a border! Incidents like the slapgate are more of an embarrasment to the nation that Ganguly endorsing a chawanbrash!
I have read a number of your articles and admire them. But I couldn't help disagree strongly with this one. Perhaps, some day, you could highlight the positives of IPL too :)
Geetanjali
Good observations. I too believe that IPL is good for Cricket. And the way th tournament is shaping up and getting popular i think it will help in increase in sales of the products which it endorse and thereby not increasing their prices.
But again, it is an instrument of advertisement which creates the need of the products in society by demonstartion effect rather than products coming to fulfill needs of the society.
There is nothing wrong with this kind of marketing where the market is created for the products, but if these products are meant for conspicuous consumption, the spending on them by the consumers really don't help in the development of economy. If you see the advetisers of IPL, they all sale consumer goods like soft-drinks, alcohol etc.
Well, agree with you there. These products are non-essentials. Advertisements have enticed a demand for things that aren't truly "needed".
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Still working on my blog. It isn't ready for public viewing yet :P
Besides, the blog would be based on English literature. May not interest you much. Happened to see your blog through a random link on orkut.
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