Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt has promoted Royal Challengers Bangalore on social media handle ahead of IPL 2021. RCB recently signed announced a long-term deal with Puma. Since Bolt has been the face of Puma for a long time, it was not a surprise to see him getting involved in the promotion of IPL.
As part of the deal with Puma, RCB will be designing kits for Bangalore-based IPL teams from 2021. Puma will also be getting a share from the sale of RCB jerseys if it is a straightforward deal like other kit deals in different sports.
Challengers, just letting you know, I’m still the fastest cat around. @imVkohli @ABdeVilliers17 @pumacricket @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/cIz3dmW3uI
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) April 7, 2021
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Meanwhile, Bolt signed up with Puma as a teenager a decade ago as the brand was struggling to keep up with rivals Adidas and Nike. Bolt’s contract with sportswear brand PUMA is worth an estimated $10million per year till the time he was competing. Once he retired from competition, he is paid $4 million per year to act as a Puma ambassador. The sprinter has credited Puma for helping to build the brand Bolt.
Virat Kohli is also a Puma athlete since 2017. The prolific Indian batsman signed a long eight-year deal estimated around Rs 110 crore, which works out to Rs 13.75 crore, or approximately $2 million, annually which also involves a fixed payment and royalty depending on the brand’s business performance. Kohli became India’s first sports personality to sign a Rs 100 Crore deal with a single brand.
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Puma roping in best athletes across different sports
The latest trend has seen various top footballers switching from Nike to Puma. PSG star Neymar Jr was the biggest player to join Puma in the last few months. Neymar’s new deal with Puma earns him more than $30 million per year, which is more than what Lionel Messi earns with Adidas ($24 million per year) and Cristiano Ronaldo with Nike ($20 million). The $30 million per year is the biggest personal deal in all of the sports. Exploring superstars and teams from different sports is going to help Puma to compete with the likes of Adidas and Nike.