Building and writing @stateofplayclub, a weekly, subscriber-led publication on the business of Indian sport. š§: [email protected]
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Joined November 2008
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For @stateofplayclub, I write about Nikeās second innings in India.
- How the @mipaltan deal came together (and why)
- Where India fits into Beavertonās āSport Offenseā and how Vegam Run explains it
- The IPL kitting business and why this heralds a breakout moment
- Nikeās Apple-like plans. By India, for the world
One interesting aspect of Nikeās build-out in India is its southern manufacturing belt, primarily in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
@stateofplayclub mapped it.
This is key to its plan to replicate Apple's playbook. Currently, India accounts for about 5% of its sourcing.
You can read about it in our story on Nikeās second innings in India.
You can read the full, subscriber-only story here. stateofplay.club/nike-india-ā¦
Venkat Ananth retweeted
Full breakdown of Sportico's IPL valuations š
sportico.com/valuations/teamā¦
Venkat Ananth retweeted
Woke up to this š
And you will see this number just going up. Unlike any other sports league GLOBALLY. Zero working capital requirement. Zero debt. Zero infrastructure cost. All original Teams In Profit. No future capital Requirement EVER. Which other league or Entertainment Property can you NAME HAS THE SAME MODEL. NONE šš¾šš½
lmao
Breaking news: Alphabet shares tumbled 13% on Thursday after the Google owner revealed that 'AI mode' searches were threatening profits at its core advertising business. ft.trib.al/Qu1i9dx
Venkat Ananth retweeted
In 2008, $112 Mn was enough to buy the IPL's most expensive franchise.
18 years later, Sportico estimates that $1.5 Bn wouldn't buy you even its least valuable team.
Follow @stateofplayclub for more on the business of Indian sport.
interesting @Sportico ranking of IPL franchises by valuation
imo, just about accurate. iād probably swap delhi capitals and sunrisers hyderabad. that's about it.
every back of envelope calculation/modelling points to MI and CSK leading the pack (in that order) with MI at $2b+.
Venkat Ananth retweeted
When ISL clubs began preparing for the 2026ā27 season, they had no confirmed broadcaster, an unfinished fixture list and a new commercial model to put in place.
Then came more setbacks. Jamshedpur FC exited, Diamond Harbour withdrew, and the sole media-rights bid came without a fixed fee.
Yet, on October 10, the season kicked off with 13 clubs, a new title sponsor and a club-led structure that put both control and financial risk in the hands of its teams.
How did they pull it off, and at what cost?
We traced the 124 days behind Indian football's biggest commercial reset.
š Read the full story by @venkatananth on The State of Play. Link in comments.
Boom! Nike is returning to Indian cricket with a multi-year deal with the Mumbai Indians, starting with the 2027 season.
everyone says a publication our size doesn't need an app.
built one for @stateofplayclub anyway. š
why? readers wanted it. simple.
Venkat Ananth retweeted
AI will require scholars to reinvent their disciplines. Scientists will have to learn to love guiding modelsāand studying, verifying and teaching their results economist.com/leaders/2026/1ā¦
Spotted at Changi on way back to Blr.
Speaking to some folks in Singapore, very interesting how Chinese AI firms are flooding that market, from neighbourhood programmes to improve AI proficiency to giving annual credits to students, SMEs, and developers via letterbox flyers.
Crazy story about sport and circadian rhythms.
How F1 drivers beat jet lag at the Singapore Grand Prix by staying on European time wsj.com/sports/formula-one-sā¦
An overseas reader wrote overnight that they want an option to display $ next to the Rs crore/lakh numbers in @stateofplayclub stories. It's now live.
Quite enjoy building this from the reader backwards!
