In what is being pegged as the biggest deal for a non-cricketing sportsperson in India ever, Rio Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu has signed a three-year agreement with sports management company Baseline in a deal that could go up to Rs 50 crore.
Tuhin Mishra, MD and co-founder of Baseline, told Times of India that this is the best deal signed by an Indian shuttler and her ‘soaring popularity’ was the reason the deal was sealed.
Baseline, Mishra said, will now manage the Hyderabad-born girl’s brand profiling, licensing, endorsements etc.
“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,” Mishra told the daily, adding that “at this stage, I cannot disclose the complete details.”
While 16 companies are said to be keen on Sindhu endorsing their products, Mishra said she is in the final stages of signing with nine.
Mishra further said that Sindhu will allocate very limited time for commercials so that her practice time doesn’t get affected.
After Rio success, Sindhu was flooded with offers to endorse various brands, but she followed the footsteps of her coach Pullela Gopichand and refused to endorse brands that would have an adverse effect on youth.
Sindhu, a two-time World Championship bronze medallist is the first Indian shuttler to bag a historic silver after the Hyderabadi went down to Spain's World No.1 Carolina Marin in the summit clash of the women's singles category in Rio de Janeiro.
