MUMBAI: Baseline Ventures, commercial partners of the Vollyeball Federation of India for its planned franchise based league in India, has signed a multi-year deal with Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) to broadcast the Pro Volleyball League, the inaugural season of which is now scheduled for February 2019.
SPN will broadcast all 18 matches of the Pro Volleyball League live across its sports channels, an official release states.
The current league structure will consist of 18 matches, which will be played across two indoor venues. The teams will consist of men from the national teams across all FIVB (the international governing body of the sport) member nations, with a predominant Indian Player pool, an official release states.
Player auctions are scheduled for later this year and franchise-owners can bid for the Indian players from a bank of over 90 players, while the foreign players will be recruited via player draft.
It bears noting though, that Baseline is still to offer information on the owners of any of the six franchises that will compete in the inaugural season of Pro Volleyball.
The bid documents for prospective franchise owners were made available from May 15, with June 30 as the original deadline to submit bids. That deadline was extended to July 10, Pro Volleyball CEO Joy Bhattacharjya had told SportzPower on July 5.
Though no one was coming out officially on the matter, the latest on that front is that the names of franchise owners should be out some time next month, SportzPower understands.
Coming back to the telecast of Pro Volleyball, Rajesh Kaul, president, Sports and Distribution Business, SPN, noted: “At SPN our focus has always been to promote a multi-sport culture in India and Pro Volleyball League is the perfect addition to our sports portfolio. Volleyball is an extremely popular sport in n key markets like South and North India, producing world class players. From early discussions we realised that our values are completely aligned with Baseline Ventures’ – nurturing the development of various sports in India and we are happy to be on-board for the Pro Volleyball League.”
Bhattacharjya added: “To allow for a good and clear broadcast window for the League and to ensure that the League can be promoted extensively across all platforms including the hugely popular digital platform Sony LIV, we have decided to kick-start Pro Volleyball in early February 2019. India is today consuming great sports content through the year and with Sony as a partner, we hope to deliver a well packaged product that will leave a lasting impression on one and all.”
Tuhin Mishra, managing director, Baseline Ventures India Pvt Ltd, said: “SPN has been successfully bringing some of the best global sports action to the Indian audiences for years now. Moreover, we completely believe them to be the right partners for the global sport of volleyball to take centre stage in India. Being pioneers in offering a great mix of live action sports with entertainment, SPN offers us an opportunity to do something similar with the Pro Volleyball League. We are really looking forward to a great association.”
Ramavtar Singh Jakhar, former international player & VFI secretary-general, said: “Pro Volleyball League will truly redefine the sport of Volleyball in the country and with a broadcaster like Sony on board we are confident that Volleyball will soon become one of the most followed sport in India.”
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