Sports
JioStar drags Legends League Cricket to Delhi High Court in media rights row
The streaming giant secured an interim order on the very day the tournament was set to kick off, freezing commercial dealings and pushing the dispute toward mediation
MUMBAI: JioStar India moved fast and hit hard. On March 11th, the same day the Legends League Cricket Masters T20 Tournament was scheduled to begin, the company secured an interim order from the Delhi High Court against Absolute Legends Sports Private Limited, the outfit that runs the league, in a bitter dispute over media and commercial rights.
The petition, filed under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, before Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, sought ad-interim protection preventing Absolute Legends from creating third-party rights, transferring, assigning or otherwise dealing with the media and commercial rights relating to the league. In plain terms: JioStar wanted to stop Absolute Legends from doing any more deals with anyone else while the dispute runs its course.
What Absolute Legends agreed to
Senior advocate Abhimanyu Bhandari, appearing for Absolute Legends, did not come to court empty-handed. He submitted that the company would file a comprehensive affidavit disclosing all commercial transactions currently being undertaken, including the agreement entered into with the second respondent in the case. The affidavit, he said, would be filed by all directors of the company.
Crucially, Bhandari also undertook that any receivables arising from commercial arrangements connected to the league would be deposited directly with the court, in an account to be opened by the registrar general, toward satisfaction of the admitted liability. The one caveat: those deposits should not prevent Absolute Legends from meeting its operational expenses necessary for the smooth functioning of its commercial activities. In other words, the company wants to keep the lights on while the legal battle plays out.
JioStar was represented by senior advocate Kunal Tandon, leading a team that included Aanchal Tandon, Niti Jain, Niharika Sharma, Nitai Agarwal and Natasa, along with Krishma Shah as the authorised representative of the petitioner.
Mediation ordered, next date set
Both sides agreed that the matter should be referred for mediation, and the court obliged. The dispute was directed to the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre, with parties ordered to appear before it on March 13th. The incharge of the mediation centre was requested to appoint a senior mediator. The case is listed before the court again on March 17th for further proceedings.
The timing could hardly be more awkward for Legends League Cricket. A tournament that was supposed to be launching was instead the subject of a courtroom freeze on the very day it was meant to kick off. Whether mediation resolves the dispute quickly or the matter returns to a full hearing on March 17th, one thing is clear: JioStar is not prepared to let its rights walk out the door without a fight.
Sports
CP Plus named title sponsor of Punjab Kings for IPL 2026
New jersey unveiled in Mohali symbolising performance and innovation.
MUMBAI: CP Plus just powered up Punjab Kings because when your sponsor’s name is on the jersey, even the boundaries start feeling more secure. CP Plus has been announced as the title sponsor of Punjab Kings ahead of IPL 2026, with the partnership unveiled through the launch of the team’s new jersey in Mohali on Friday. The collaboration blends the high-energy spirit of cricket with CP Plus’s focus on precision, reliability and technology-driven innovation.
The jersey serves as a visual symbol of the alliance, reflecting shared values of performance, trust and future-readiness. The association aims to leverage the IPL’s massive platform for deeper consumer engagement, brand salience and regional resonance, particularly in cricket-passionate markets like Punjab.
CP Plus managing director Aditya Khemka said, “This marks the beginning of a meaningful journey for CP Plus. The unveiling of the Punjab Kings jersey is symbolic of a deeper alignment, one that is built on shared ambition, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence.”
Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon added, “We would like to welcome CP Plus into the Punjab Kings family. It’s our pleasure to be associated with a brand that, like us, values excellence and keeps the consumer at the focus.”
Punjab Kings CCO Saurabh Arora noted, “CP Plus is a brand that people trust and encounter every day, which makes this partnership a seamless integration. Our goal is to build something across the season that delivers genuine consumer impact.”
As Punjab Kings prepare for IPL 2026, the partnership lays the foundation for immersive fan experiences, integrated storytelling and technology-led activations that connect sport, innovation and brand purpose both on and off the field.
In a league where every sponsor wants to stand out, CP Plus isn’t just buying space on a jersey, it’s buying into the heartbeat of a team, proving that when technology meets cricket’s passion, the real winner is the fan who feels the thrill up close.
