Virat Kohli to end Puma Deal? Fact Check with Clarification Revealed

Amid the ongoing saga regarding Virat Kohli's potential withdrawal from Puma deal, the latest revelation has arrived.

There have been speculation regarding Virat Kohli's ties with Puma, as news emerged that the star India batter may leave the global brand after eight years of association.

The association between Puma and Kohli goes long back as it started back in 2017 for a worth of Rs 110 crore. Reportedly the Indian star was about to join Agilitas Sports as the Brand ambassador.

Virat Kohli is set to stay with Puma: Puma India MD

But the German sportswear brand Puma has released a statement on Wednesday stating Puma and Virat Kohli are well-tied and the relationship continues with the Indian cricketer.

Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director of PUMA India said, "PUMA's relationship with Virat Kohli is long-standing and continues."

Virat Kohli and PUMA: The Long-Standing Collaboration

Kohli's association with Puma India dates back to 2017, when the brand struck a monumental deal with the cricketing sensation. This groundbreaking agreement not only solidified Kohli's status as a brand ambassador but also propelled him into the annals of sports marketing history.

Under the agreement, Kohli's clothing brand, One8, entered into an exclusive licensing arrangement with Puma, overseeing various facets including product development, manufacturing, distribution networks, and marketing.

The significance of this partnership cannot be understated, as Kohli became the first Indian sportsperson to secure a brand endorsement deal exceeding Rs 100 crore. A substantial portion of this deal comprised an annual fixed payout ranging between Rs 12 to 14 crore, underscoring Kohli's immense value as a brand ambassador.

In light of recent developments, speculations arose regarding Kohli's potential collaboration with Agilitas Sports Pvt Ltd, an emerging sportswear and athleisure brand led by former Puma India Managing Director, Abhishek Ganguly. Founded in May 2023, Agilitas Sports has garnered attention within the industry and Ganguly worked closely with Kohli before, which further escalated the possibility of him switching to Agilitas.

But all of the speculation has proven to be peripheral as Kohli continues his association with Puma.