SPORT: Shuttler's fees estimated at Rs 35-40 lakh.
The star of badminton player Saina Nehwal rose phenomenally in 2008. She broke into the world top-10 list, reached the Olympic quarter finals and now it seems that marketers too have started taking note of her. Nehwal, who was not seen as a mainstream endorser till now, is set to land a few deals over the next few months.
Anirban Das Blah, CEO, Globosport, the sports marketing firm that manages the shuttler, said a couple of brands are keen to sign her up. “She has been the most consistent sportsperson in the last year and is quiet popular. We know that cricket still rules the show when it comes to sports endorsers, but its always good to see brands opting for endorsers from other sports as well,” he added.
While her endorsement fees is still not in the top bracket, experts believe that it would be somewhere close to Rs 35-40 lakh per deal. The days of paying over-the-top endorsement fees are long gone, but reports suggest that the deals she had signed earlier were valued very low in comparison to deals she is getting now.
Latika Khaneja, director Collage Sports Management, thinks that Nehwal might not go the tennis star Sania Mirza way. When Mirza burst on the scene, she was a new phenomenon, and a few brands probably went in too soon for her. “With Saina, I don’t think that would happen as marketers are more vary of signing any endorser these days.”
Khaneja feels that Nehwal has it in her to become the poster girl for the next few years. But what kind of brands would opt for her as an endorser? “From FMCG to sports wear and apparel brands, all the brands are likely to vie for her. She is young and even though might not be a household name yet, she isn’t far away,” adds Khaneja.
In the past, we have seen non-cricket stars flattering to deceive both on the field and also in terms of endorsements. However, Nehwal seems to be an exception as far as sporting achievements are concerned. It remains to be seen, whether she translates that into the field of endorsements as well.
i have seen nehwal on globosport .com , she is really gorgeous girl from indian sports. she haves guts and talent of becoming top model. she is natural beauty, not like mirza with too much makeup, hair styles, fashion on & off court.saina nehwal haves star appeals in her posters. she is better than mirza and all indian sports women. i wan see her doing ads & cat walk in fashion shows.
Content Guide
SPORT: Shuttler's fees estimated at Rs 35-40 lakh.
