Adidas to show contract with Tendulkar: MRTPC

NEW DELHI: The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC) on Thursday directed global sportswear major Adidas to produce its contract with Sachin Tendulkar to substantiate its claim over use of the cricketer’s name and image.

In the legal wrangle between Adidas and its rival Nike, an MRTPC bench headed by Justice O P Dwivedi turned down Adidas’ plea for protection of its contract with Tendulkar. It also asked BCCI to produce documents regarding its rights over Tendulkar. “Both parties should file their respective documents by next hearing,” the bench said and posted the matter for further hearing next month. Adidas has, from the beginning of the case, been averse to produce a copy of the contract signed with the cricket icon in 1997, citing confidentiality of information regarding value, terms and condition of their agreement.

BCCI also filed its reply before the commission during the proceedings. During a hearing on July 16, the commission had granted extra time to BCCI for filing reply to the notices issued by it. The cricket board had contended that it did not receive the notices on time. During the hearing, Adidas counsel contended that Tendulkar has not authorised BCCI to give his personal endorsement rights to someone.

Confirming this, Tendulkar’s lawyer said the cricket star has already written two letters to Adidas to authenticate his personal contract with the firm. However, Nike counsel said as Adidas’ case was based on its contract with Tendulkar, it must be produced before the Commission.

“Their entire case is based on the contract and interestingly they have not produced the agreement papers,” the Nike counsel said, requesting the bench to direct Adidas to produce documents of the contract.

On May 25, admitting a petition by Adidas, MRTPC issued notices to Nike, BCCI, Tendulkar and his business managing firm Iconix, directing them to file replies within three weeks. Nike has already filed its reply, denying all the allegations made by Adidas. Nike has a five-year contract with BCCI for the cricket team’s on-field uniform. It had won the bid in 2005 with a Rs 199.66 crore offer. Adidas has alleged that Nike was violating exclusive personal endorsement agreement with Tendulkar by using his name for promoting its products.