WPBL Secures Rs 3-4 Crore in Sponsorships: India’s World Pickleball League (WPBL) is gaining traction, with sponsorship revenue reaching Rs 3-4 crore in its first season. Chennai Super Champs, co-owned by Samantha Ruth Prabhu, has secured six sponsors, and league-wide sponsorships are expected to rise to Rs 5-6 crore by the second season.
Building Sponsorship Deals
Selling sponsorship slots for a new sports league is always a challenge, and WPBL is no exception. While interest in pickleball is growing, converting that into sponsorships has been slow.
“It was definitely a challenge, and a lot of them wanted to wait and watch. There’s been a lot of initial interest, but conversions are slow. But I feel that the ones who really want the sport to grow are the ones who have come on board,” -(Himank Duvvuru, Co-Owner, Chennai Super Champs)
Chennai Super Champs has signed six sponsors: Satyabhama, Gataca, Apollo, 3 Sisters, Secret Alchemist, and Tula. According to Duvvuru, having an active owner like Prabhu helped in negotiations. The franchise plans to engage sponsors throughout the year with local tournaments, school programs, and open competitions in Chennai and Tamil Nadu.
League-Wide Sponsorship Landscape
WPBL features six franchises, each backed by well-known personalities. Mumbai Pickle Power is owned by Swiggy and cricketer Rishabh Pant. Pune United is co-owned by Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh along with Sudhir Mehta. Dilli Dilwale has the backing of Sunil Gavaskar, Rohan Gavaskar, and Ankiti Bose, while Bengaluru Jawans is owned by filmmaker Atlee and his wife. Hyderabad SuperStars recently brought on actors Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani.
Some teams have done particularly well in securing sponsorships due to their owners’ involvement.
“That makes a big difference because if you have invested owners, not just brand ambassadors, teams tend to perform better in sponsorship sales,”-(Indranil dal blah,founder of amp sports)
Most WPBL teams have landed four to six sponsors, with top teams securing deals worth Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 2.5 crore. Mumbai Pickle Power has Skullcandy as a key sponsor, while Pune United has EKA Mobility.
Sponsorship Slots and Revenue Model
Each WPBL team’s jersey features multiple branding slots divided into three tiers: Platinum, Gold, and Silver. The main sponsor (Platinum) appears on the chest, while Gold-tier sponsors are placed on the right chest and back. Silver-tier sponsors occupy positions on the collar and shorts.
Chennai Super Champs’ title sponsor, Satyabhama, has the front-chest slot, while Apollo and 3 Sisters are co-sponsors. Additional partners Secret Alchemist, Gattaca, and Tula hold smaller branding spots. Pune United has eight sponsors, including EKA Mobility, Kohinoor, Mother’s Recipe, and Sancheti Hospital.
At the league level, central sponsors include PNG Jewellers, Dove, Volvo, and Barclays. Sponsorship revenue for the entire league is projected to reach Rs 10-12 crore over the next three to five years.
“Sponsorship is the primary revenue source for both teams and the league. Ticketing revenue is minimal because the arenas are small, with only 750 seats per day. Of those, more than half are reserved for VIPs and sponsors,” -(Indranil dal blah)
Broadcasting remains a challenge for emerging sports leagues. WPBL is being aired on Sony Sports Network and streamed on FanCode. The league expects to attract 8-12 million viewers, generating Rs 100 crore in advertising revenue.
Future Growth and Expectations
Duvvuru anticipates Chennai Super Champs will break even by the third or fourth season. Keeping costs low has been key, as the league operates at a single venue, centralizes logistics, and manages visas for international players.
With rising sponsorship interest and growing media exposure, WPBL aims to solidify its place in India’s sports industry. As the league expands, sponsorship revenue is expected to reach Rs 5-6 crore by the next season, marking a steady rise for pickleball in the country.
News in Brief: WPBL Secures Rs 3-4 Crore in Sponsorships
The World Pickleball League (WPBL) has attracted Rs 3-4 crore in sponsorships, with expectations of reaching Rs 5-6 crore in the next season. Chennai Super Champs, owned by Samantha Ruth Prabhu, has secured six sponsors. With strong backing from celebrities and growing brand interest, WPBL’s financial future looks promising.