India’s skipper Virat Kohli has become the first Indian sportsperson to sign a Rs 100-crore endorsement deal with a single brand. Kohli captain has struck an eight-year deal with s Puma worth about Rs 110 crore and joined the likes of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, footballer Thierry Henry and others as a global ambassador for the brand.
“Virat has transformed the way fitness is looked at in Indian cricket. He has emphasized the role of an athlete and reshaping cricket in the millennial culture, thus endorsing our brand ethos. He is a youth icon with an effortless style,” Puma India MD Abhishek Ganguly said.
The eight-year deal between Kohli and Puma involves a fixed payment and royalty depending on the brand’s business performance.
It’s a privilege to be part of a great list of athletes that Puma has. Not just today’s icons like Usain Bolt but also the brand’s rich history with Pele, Maradona, Thierry Henry and others,” Kohli told Times of India.
“Both Puma and I are committed to a long-term partnership. I am impressed by the way Puma has gained popularity and market leadership in India in a short period of time,” he added.
