Gaming
Brands celebrate Asian Games 2023 with full fervour on Sony LIV
Mumbai: India’s remarkable resurgence in the global sporting arena is a testament to its status as a multi-sport powerhouse. The captivating narratives and exhilarating moments in sports have long been a source of inspiration and entertainment for people of all ages. Recognizing the fervour and enthusiasm of viewers, renowned brands such as EatFit, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, JSW, ACKO, and Limca Sportz have forged powerful collaborations with Sony LIV for the Asian Games 2023. These partnerships serve as a resounding expression of solidarity with and support for Indian athletes who are set to compete on this prestigious platform.
EatFit, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, and JSW have come on board as co-presenting sponsors and will have a prominent presence within in-studio showcases to drive deep associations. JSW aims to shed light on India’s multi-sport achievements and showcase JSW-sponsored athletes. ACKO has come on board as co-powered by Sponsor and will present highlights and introduce the ‘ACKO Changemakers series on Sony LIV. Furthermore, Limca Sportz is a Hydration Partner and will present ‘Unstoppable Player of the Day’, while RBI has exclusive rights to Top Moments. These collaborations promise engaging content and unique branding opportunities, enhancing the brand’s messaging among the audience.
The Asian Games is poised to be a significant one for India, as a total of 655 Indian athletes will be competing in 41 disciplines. After 19 years, the Asian Games will feature a T20 tournament, where Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams will be making their debuts, giving many more reasons for viewers to be glued to their screens this year.
Sony LIV head of Ad sales revenue Ranjana Mangla commented, “Over the last few years, Sony LIV has proved to be a trusted and seamless partner for streaming multi-sporting properties, and the Asian Games is one of the world’s most prestigious tournaments. Our coveted list of sponsors shares our passion for sports, with some renewing with us and others signing up for the first time. Each of them keenly wants to connect with a young and affluent subscriber base that makes us a strategic choice for their communications”.
Curefoods founder Ankit Nagori, “I am thrilled to announce our partnership as a co-presenting sponsor for the Asian Games 2023 on Sony LIV. This exciting collaboration exemplifies the immense potential for brands to elevate their presence through multi-sports tournaments. In the spirit of competition and unity, we look forward to a journey that not only fuels athletic excellence but also nourishes brand association, bringing together the worlds of health, fitness, and sports in perfect harmony”.
JSW Sports Founder Parth Jindal, “We are proud of our sponsorship of Team India at the Asian Games 2022, reinforcing our commitment to sporting excellence in the nation. This support extends through our Inspire Institute of Sport, Vijayanagar, which propelled 25 athletes to represent India at Guangzhou. ‘RukNa Nahi Hai’ is a rallying cry for sports to inspire and unite India’s diverse landscape.
As proud sponsors, we look forward to Team India’s performances, donning the JSW jersey and embodying our brand’s determination and excellence. Through this partnership with the Indian Olympic Association, and in collaboration with Sony LIV, we aim to foster a culture of sportsmanship, determination, and excellence for future generations”.
Gaming
Dream Sports sees 100 plus exits after gaming ban forces overhaul
Company splits into eight units as real money gaming law hits revenue.
MUMBAI: For a company built on fantasy leagues, reality has suddenly rewritten the rulebook. More than 100 employees have exited Dream Sports, the parent of Dream11, after the company reorganised its operations following India’s ban on real money online gaming. The shake up came after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 came into force in August 2025, prohibiting games where users deposit money expecting winnings. The regulation struck at the heart of the fantasy gaming industry and dramatically affected Dream Sports’ core business, wiping out about 95 percent of its revenue and all of its profits.
In response, the Mumbai based company shifted into what chief executive officer Harsh Jain described as “startup mode”, splitting its operations into eight independent business units in December.
Around 700 employees were reassigned across these newly formed ventures based on their experience and interests. However, roughly 15 percent opted to leave the company.
A spokesperson for Dream Sports said many of those who exited were experienced professionals accustomed to running scaled businesses rather than early stage ventures.
“Since some of these employees were experienced with running high scale businesses and not startups, around 15 percent chose to leave and join other scaled companies or start ventures of their own,” the spokesperson said.
Despite the departures, the company noted that the attrition rate is only slightly higher than its earlier level of around 10 percent before the ban. Dream Sports now has close to 950 employees and is not currently hiring, choosing instead to focus on stabilising its existing workforce.
The restructuring has transformed Dream Sports from a fantasy gaming company into a broader sports entertainment platform. The eight units now operate independently, each focusing on different segments of the sports and technology ecosystem.
These include Dream11, sports streaming platform Fancode, sports travel service DreamSetGo, mobile game Dream Cricket and artificial intelligence initiative Dream Sports AI, which includes sports analytics platform Dream Play.
Other ventures include fintech product Dream Money, open source initiative Dream Horizon and the philanthropic arm Dream Sports Foundation.
As part of cost saving efforts, Dream Sports also relocated its headquarters from Bandra Kurla Complex to Worli earlier this year. The new office, called Dream Sports Stadium, brings teams from its various brands together under one roof to improve collaboration and operational efficiency.
Jain had earlier said the company removed bonus lock in timelines for employees hired in recent years, allowing those who wished to leave to exit with pro rata payouts.
“We want people who are fully into the startup mode and willing to work for it, and we will share that reward if it comes,” he said.
Founded in 2008 by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, Dream Sports was last valued at 8 billion dollars after raising 840 million dollars in 2021 from investors including Falcon Edge Capital, DST Global, D1 Capital Partners, RedBird Capital Partners, Tiger Global Management, TPG and Footpath Ventures.
The new gaming law has forced several companies in the fantasy gaming sector to either shut down or pivot their business models, signalling a significant reset for one of India’s fastest growing digital entertainment industries.
