Dhoni’s bat deal with Spartan goes sour

NEW DELHI: India’s limited overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who remains a sought after personality in the endorsement world despite his retirement from Tests,

NEW DELHI: India’s limited overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who remains a sought after personality in the endorsement world despite his retirement from Tests, has allegedly not been paid by one of the many brands he endorses — Spartan Sports — of over Rs 20 crore.

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It has been reliably learnt that a three-year bat and sponsorship deal worth Rs 13 crore has gone sour with Australia-based Spartan Sports, a sporting gear and equipment company, regularly defaulting on payments. With the royalty clause on Dhoni’s bat deal included, the owed amount goes well over Rs 20 crore.

Sources in legal firm advising Rhiti Sports, Dhoni’s management company, said that Kunal Sharma-owned Spartan has paid only four installments since the deal was struck in December 2013, the latest payment being made in March 2016. When asked why the deal has gone awry, Rhiti Sports boss Arun Pandey did not elaborate before saying that, “everything is not smooth and hopefully the matter will be resolved soon”.

Spartan boss Sharma did not respond to calls and messages despite repeated attempts.

SACHIN JOINS SPARTAN

Sachin Tendulkar has joined the Spartan International Group as an investor and member advisory board. The former India batsman has joined as an investor and will serve on the advisory Board alongside Chris Gayle and Kunal Sharma.