Sports
IEC in Sports renews media rights for ATP Marseille
MUMBAI: IEC in Sports has renewed its worldwide media rights contract for the tennis event, ATP Marseille, until 2012-end.
Under the terms of the agreement, IEC will ensure the distribution of the event to its broadcast partners globally.
Following on from a successful renewal of one of its French properties, the Swedish-based international sports marketing company also announced the recent signature of the French Masters in tennis.
Under the terms of this agreement, IEC in Sports will distribute the event worldwide outside of France, Mauritius, Andorra, Switzerland and Sub-Saharan Africa.
IEC in Sports head of tennis properties Anders Björkman says, “Tennis is one of the backbone sports of IEC’s portfolio and these contracts demonstrate the commitment IEC has shown to its Tennis Properties and in turn the confidence IEC’s clients have in our expertise to distribute the world over.”
Sports
After Virat Kohli’s exit, One8 Commune Bengaluru shuts down
Outlet near Chinnaswamy closes amid rent row, compliance issues mount
BENGALURU: The One8 Commune outlet near M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has shut down following a court order, bringing a turbulent chapter for the high-profile dining destination to a close.
The immediate trigger was a legal dispute over unpaid dues. The outlet, operated by Trio Hills Hospitality, had reportedly defaulted on rent payments for nearly six months. Including maintenance charges and revenue share commitments, the outstanding amount is said to have crossed Rs 2 crore. A Bengaluru civil court subsequently directed the closure of the premises until all financial obligations are cleared.
The shutdown comes months after Virat Kohli, whose brand name lent the outlet its identity, had already distanced himself from the Bengaluru franchise. According to reports, concerns around repeated compliance-related issues prompted his team to withdraw the association. The removal of the One8 branding is believed to have impacted footfall, further straining the business.
The outlet had also faced regulatory scrutiny over the years. In 2024, authorities booked the establishment for operating beyond the 1:00 am curfew. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike had issued notices over missing fire safety clearances, while an FIR was filed for violating tobacco regulations by not providing a designated smoking zone under applicable laws.
In response to the closure, the brand maintained that the issue stemmed from building-level compliance responsibilities linked to the property owner rather than operational lapses on its part. It also denied that financial default was the primary reason, reiterating that customer safety remained a priority.
For now, the shutters remain down. While a reopening is theoretically possible if disputes are resolved, the absence of Kohli’s brand association makes a return under the One8 banner increasingly unlikely.
