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[Cernunnos]

This is what I wrote a few days ago:

Next to be humiliated after Ganguly is Kolkata itself. I hear that the merchandising no longer uses the word Kolkata.

Turns out it is official. From next season Kolkata is off.
I hope Kolkatans will find it in them to teach this rascal "Badshah Dildo" a lesson, and stop investing their emotions into this phoney venture.




http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/kolkata-droppedkolkata-knight-riders/355870/

It’s not just Kolkata’s icon Sourav Ganguly who has been dropped from captaining Shah Rukh Khan’s IPL team this season. The name “Kolkata” has been dropped from all Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) merchandise.

The team is still called KKR, but official sources said this could change to Knight Riders in the next IPL season.

Sources in Reebok, the official merchandise partner for the team, said it was Shah Rukh Khan-owned company’s decision. Hence, the city’s name has been dropped from all T-shirts, socks and accessories.

Sources indicated the company was actively looking at shifting base to other cities following the controversies involving Sourav Ganguly’s captaincy.

The company is registered as Knight Riders Private Ltd and all vouchers are issued under this name. As the team belonged to Kolkata, with seven home-playing matches in Kolkata last season and with Sourav Ganguly’s involvement in them, the brand used for the team name and the merchandise was “Kolkata Knight Riders” in IPL1.

“If the matches had not shifted from Kolkata, the merchandise would have continued to have ‘Kolkata’ Knight Riders written on them,” said the source.

“KKR is more popular as Shah Rukh Khan’s team than for Kolkata. So, merchandise sales will not be affected. Also, shifting base to other cities like Ahmedabad will help the company manage its administrative issues better and keep it away from more controversies. Dropping ‘Kolkata’ from the team’s merchandise will bring worldwide appeal,” said the source. Reebok sources said merchandise sales in India had dipped by more than 30 per cent this year compared with last year but the opportunity to sell merchandise the world over had opened up. “So, there may not be a dip in overall revenues,” said a source.

Financially, Knight Riders was the most successful franchise last year, achieving a profit of Rs 13 crore.

The speculation last year that KKR would shift base from Kolkata to Ahmedabad was fuelled by the money demanded by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) in the last season. However, after a meeting with former ICC and BCCI chief Jagmohan Dalmiya, Shah Rukh Khan assured that his team would stay in Kolkata.

There were other controversies around KKR. According to reports, Shah Rukh Khan wanted Sourav Ganguly to speak to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee about the entertainment tax on matches at Eden Garden. Ganguly turned down the request. Also, Shah Rukh was barred by the International Cricket Council Anti-Corruption Unit from entering the dressing room of the team last year.

[12th_Man]

Woo....
If this is true a very risky and brave development.
I am stunned SRK could dare this.

[LosingNow]

HOLY CRAP...

--
Not sure it is risky... places like ahmedabad may make him more money and SRK can sell his wares anywhere. He is a marketer-par-excellence (and I say that with a grudging admiration). He knows it!!

[dextrous]

Just like I'd mentioned through my few insider sources (not one to brag or anything) KR is moving to Gujrat though there also there's political issues (SRk and Congress), so Gujrat may not be an option either.

But there's also more than just cricket involved here...SRK's support for Congress had already soured relationship with political brass in West Bengal. Further, SG didn't want to help SRK as much as he'd have liked in getting a lot of rebates for KKR leading to the initial bitterness between the two; SG didn't like the idea that SRK would ask him to do favors.

[ramshorns]

I do not find anything wrong in SRK wanting to take his team elsewhere.  May be that is what he has in mind going down the road.  Anyway I never liked SRK from the get go and am happy with the owners of my beloved Deccan chargers who really represent Hyderabad and are part of the city and its culture for generations.  Gald they got to buy it.  I was also told they do not want to sell it for the reminder of the 10 years they got the franchiserights for as they have solid corporate backing and local shops in Hyderabad are flooded with their merchandise. 

And am glad they started to run this as a professional franchise as opposed to an emotional affair when they discussed with VVS to get Gilly and Lehmann to run this for them removing themselves as owners from day to day running of the team and decision making regarding team matters like composition etc.  They support them in every which way asked of them by the team management.   Kudos to them.

[ruchir]

Why is Aunty missing from this thread? This should be her wet dream come true!!

[12th_Man]

Just like I'd mentioned through my few insider sources (not one to brag or anything) KR is moving to Gujrat though there also there's political issues (SRk and Congress), so Gujrat may not be an option either.

But there's also more than just cricket involved here...SRK's support for Congress had already soured relationship with political brass in West Bengal. Further, SG didn't want to help SRK as much as he'd have liked in getting a lot of rebates for KKR leading to the initial bitterness between the two; SG didn't like the idea that SRK would ask him to do favors.

Oh .. If he is moving his team elsewhere, then it makes sense. Else i was wondering why would you take the name of city out ?

[WicketView]

Why is Aunty missing from this thread? This should be her wet dream come true!!

Because she is sad. No Ganguly, No Kolkata. What will she talk about?

[kban1]

Why is Aunty missing from this thread? This should be her wet dream come true!!

You mean the wetness drying up, dont you ?

Aunty is mourning -- no Ganguly, no Kolkata, who will aunty b****h and moan about ? 

[dextrous]

One more interesting tidbit I've caught:

A prominent Bengali entertainer wants to buy a Kolkata-based team and install Dada as captain next year. There are obvious hurdles to this--will IPL expand? and most importantly, will Modi let a JD team sneak into the competition?

[kban1]

One more interesting tidbit I've caught:

A prominent Bengali entertainer wants to buy a Kolkata-based team and install Dada as captain next year. There are obvious hurdles to this--will IPL expand? and most importantly, will Modi let a JD team sneak into the competition?

Mithunda ?

[kban1]

"I get a lot of hate mail which blame me for all the decisions taken within Kolkata Knight Riders. I've saved them and I want to go around to all the houses and say 'Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo' ... suck on this."

--- Dreams unlimited for Shah Rukh Khan, the owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders, for season two of the IPL.


Still think he is a great marketer WN ? Methinks his ego is writing checks his body cant cash. Hubris!!

[LosingNow]

"I get a lot of hate mail which blame me for all the decisions taken within Kolkata Knight Riders. I've saved them and I want to go around to all the houses and say 'Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo' ... suck on this."

--- Dreams unlimited for Shah Rukh Khan, the owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders, for season two of the IPL.


Still think he is a great marketer WN ? Methinks his ego is writing checks his body cant cash. Hubris!!

When did he say this?

[kban1]

"I get a lot of hate mail which blame me for all the decisions taken within Kolkata Knight Riders. I've saved them and I want to go around to all the houses and say 'Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo' ... suck on this."

--- Dreams unlimited for Shah Rukh Khan, the owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders, for season two of the IPL.


Still think he is a great marketer WN ? Methinks his ego is writing checks his body cant cash. Hubris!!

When did he say this?

Dunno --its in the quote section of today's Cricinfo.

[dextrous]

One more interesting tidbit I've caught:

A prominent Bengali entertainer wants to buy a Kolkata-based team and install Dada as captain next year. There are obvious hurdles to this--will IPL expand? and most importantly, will Modi let a JD team sneak into the competition?

Mithunda ?

This was my first guess as well, but I don't know the name. However, given that he was interested in getting part of the Bengal ICL team, I'm betting it is him. My source said he wouldn't reveal it to me as I'd post it here first though he said CAB is waiting to see what SRK does before moving in actively.

[12th_Man]

http://cricket.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtvcricket/ipl09/news_story.aspx?ID=SPOEN20090091431&keyword=news

Shah Rukh got hate mails for unpopular decisions
Press Trust of India
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 (Durban) 
Email | Print | Comments: Read (0) Post | Rate the story   A+   A-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) owner Shah Rukh Khan on Tuesday revealed he has been receiving "strange" hate mails for stripping Sourav Ganguly of KKR captaincy.

"I get strange hate mails from people for taking decision for the team's sake," Shah Rukh said after KKR tasted their first win of second IPL against Kings XI Punjab today.

"But that is okay, I'm saving them all so that I can go to each house and say (the KKR anthem) 'Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo' (I'll do it, fight and win)...," he added.

In a fervent plea to the Kolkatans to stay by the side of KKR, Shah Rukh said, "Along the way if we go wrong, please feel for us and send us positive energies."

Arguably the most hyped Indian Premier League franchisee, KKR has been in the news this year since coach John Buchanan floated the multiple-captain theory which many in Kolkata saw as yet another Australian ploy to strip local favourite Sourav Ganguly of captaincy.

Buchanan's idea was eventually shelved but Ganguly didn't retain his job either as KKR named Kiwi stumper Brendon McCullum as its new captain, a decision that did not go down well in Kolkata.

Shah Rukh said it was not easy pleasing people in Kolkata where emotions run high and admitted there was tremendous pressure on his side.

"We are under a lot of pressure. We are a hyped team because the owners are from film industry and because we have the most passionate city backing us," the Bollywood actor said.

"For good and bad, the Kolkatans love us one night and one night they do get angry with our decisions. But I promise you guys that the dream I have is to come to Kolkata with the IPL trophy and dance. Will do some new steps for Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo," he said.

Incidentally, Sourav Ganguly played a cameo role in today's win with two quick wickets even though he didn't get a chance to bat.

Shah Rukh took the occasion to pledge his support for Ganguly and said for him, the former India captain remained the greatest KKR player.

"I want him to be the Player of the Tournament this year    . Whoever feels he is not given importance in the team, let me tell you that for me, he is the greatest Knight Riders player. He and (Chris) Gayle will compete for the 'Player of the Tournament' award," he said.
 

[kban1]

One more interesting tidbit I've caught:

A prominent Bengali entertainer wants to buy a Kolkata-based team and install Dada as captain next year. There are obvious hurdles to this--will IPL expand? and most importantly, will Modi let a JD team sneak into the competition?

Mithunda ?

This was my first guess as well, but I don't know the name. However, given that he was interested in getting part of the Bengal ICL team, I'm betting it is him. My source said he wouldn't reveal it to me as I'd post it here first though he said CAB is waiting to see what SRK does before moving in actively.

Yeah, if its Mithun, then Modi wont agree. Maybe a front company with mithun in the background might work. because I believe Mithun already owns The Bengal ICL team.

If Shahrukh moves his team though, IPL will allow for expansion --sooner rather than later. Kolkata is too big of  a market to leave it franchiseless.

[dextrous]

One more interesting tidbit I've caught:

A prominent Bengali entertainer wants to buy a Kolkata-based team and install Dada as captain next year. There are obvious hurdles to this--will IPL expand? and most importantly, will Modi let a JD team sneak into the competition?

Mithunda ?

This was my first guess as well, but I don't know the name. However, given that he was interested in getting part of the Bengal ICL team, I'm betting it is him. My source said he wouldn't reveal it to me as I'd post it here first though he said CAB is waiting to see what SRK does before moving in actively.

Yeah, if its Mithun, then Modi wont agree. Maybe a front company with mithun in the background might work. because I believe Mithun already owns The Bengal ICL team.

If Shahrukh moves his team though, IPL will allow for expansion --sooner rather than later. Kolkata is too big of  a market to leave it franchiseless.

I think it will come down to what Modi wants more--money or pride

[kban1]

Doesnt have to be either or --they could still give the franchise to someone other than Mithun.

[Cover Point]

Why is Aunty missing from this thread? This should be her wet dream come true!!

i just noticed the stars in your name. Kya re mod bante hi dal badal diya ? It explains all your recent attacks.

And why would I be happy by SRK dropping the Kolkata name ?

[Cover Point]

Why is Aunty missing from this thread? This should be her wet dream come true!!

You mean the wetness drying up, dont you ?

Aunty is mourning -- no Ganguly, no Kolkata, who will aunty b****h and moan about ? 

dont worry. gangulians are sarvamaan. They exist all over the place. I was never one to discriminate between a Rasgullah or Rasmalai. Or Shrikhand for that matter.

Gangulians of all race, color, religion and creed will all be equally put in their place!

[ramshorns]

Why is Aunty missing from this thread? This should be her wet dream come true!!

i just noticed the stars in your name. Kya re mod bante hi dal badal diya ? It explains all your recent attacks.

And why would I be happy by SRK dropping the Kolkata name ?

Actually I did notice that too to be really honest.

Just like WN when I evaluate his overall posting pattern.

[Cover Point]

Why is Aunty missing from this thread? This should be her wet dream come true!!

i just noticed the stars in your name. Kya re mod bante hi dal badal diya ? It explains all your recent attacks.

And why would I be happy by SRK dropping the Kolkata name ?

Actually I did notice that too to be really honest.

Just like WN when I evaluate his overall posting pattern.

Now the real reason for the mod-hood comes out. Will have to find out if there is a pledge they have to take

[teamindia]

But does IPL allow disassociate the city name from the franchisee? Isn't it IPL that decides which city will have a team.
If not one can buy a Mumbai or Kolkata team and make it Jhumari Tallaiya XI.

[dextrous]

But does IPL allow disassociate the city name from the franchisee? Isn't it IPL that decides which city will have a team.
If not one can buy a Mumbai or Kolkata team and make it Jhumari Tallaiya XI.

RC did it

[poondu]

But does IPL allow disassociate the city name from the franchisee? Isn't it IPL that decides which city will have a team.
If not one can buy a Mumbai or Kolkata team and make it Jhumari Tallaiya XI.

RC did it

Also Deccan and Punjab

[teamindia]

Correct me if I am wrong. But they were called "Deccan Chargers" and "Kings XI Punjab" last year too. So was "Rajsthan Royals".

One can drop the city name form the franchisee name and still be associated with the city but can one make "Kolkata Knight Riders" to for example "Ahmedabad Knight Riders" without IPL's permission?

[ramshorns]

But does IPL allow disassociate the city name from the franchisee? Isn't it IPL that decides which city will have a team.
If not one can buy a Mumbai or Kolkata team and make it Jhumari Tallaiya XI.

RC did it

Also Deccan and Punjab

No actually the word "Deccan" denotes the Hyderabad region of the old.  So Deccan Chronicle the newspaper and the owners of which brought the team and hence Deccan chargers.  So there is no disassociation with the name of the city.

[kban1]

But team India's point remains valid.

Deccan is still a geographic region. As is Rajasthan.

So substitute region for city.

[dextrous]

But team India's point remains valid.

Deccan is still a geographic region. As is Rajasthan.

So substitute region for city.

Let's see..Modi makes the rules...Modi executes them...there's no rule one way or another about cities that cannot be changed

[poondu]

http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php/topic,19001.msg262996.html#msg262996

I posted this news on 3/31st. Wonder why it didn't catch on at that point..

[dextrous]

http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php/topic,19001.msg262996.html#msg262996

I posted this news on 3/31st. Wonder why it didn't catch on at that point..

i did! in fact, id posted here--
http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php/topic,19197.msg266914.html#msg266914

[poondu]

http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php/topic,19001.msg262996.html#msg262996

I posted this news on 3/31st. Wonder why it didn't catch on at that point..

i did! in fact, id posted here--
http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php/topic,19197.msg266914.html#msg266914

But you posted this today, right ? I posted this on March 31st.

[dextrous]

http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php/topic,19001.msg262996.html#msg262996

I posted this news on 3/31st. Wonder why it didn't catch on at that point..

i did! in fact, id posted here--
http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php/topic,19197.msg266914.html#msg266914

But you posted this today, right ? I posted this on March 31st.

no no...2 days ago...yes you knew about kolkata but i mentioned gujrat

[Libran]

Why is Aunty missing from this thread? This should be her wet dream come true!!

You mean the wetness drying up, dont you ?

Aunty is mourning -- no Ganguly, no Kolkata, who will aunty b****h and moan about ? 

Menopause ..or Man on pause

[Blwe_torch]

http://cricket.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtvcricket/ipl09/news_story.aspx?ID=SPOEN20090091431&keyword=news

Shah Rukh got hate mails for unpopular decisions
Press Trust of India
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 (Durban) 
Email | Print | Comments: Read (0) Post | Rate the story   A+   A-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) owner Shah Rukh Khan on Tuesday revealed he has been receiving "strange" hate mails for stripping Sourav Ganguly of KKR captaincy.

"I get strange hate mails from people for taking decision for the team's sake," Shah Rukh said after KKR tasted their first win of second IPL against Kings XI Punjab today.

"But that is okay, I'm saving them all so that I can go to each house and say (the KKR anthem) 'Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo' (I'll do it, fight and win)...," he added.

In a fervent plea to the Kolkatans to stay by the side of KKR, Shah Rukh said, "Along the way if we go wrong, please feel for us and send us positive energies."

Arguably the most hyped Indian Premier League franchisee, KKR has been in the news this year since coach John Buchanan floated the multiple-captain theory which many in Kolkata saw as yet another Australian ploy to strip local favourite Sourav Ganguly of captaincy.

Buchanan's idea was eventually shelved but Ganguly didn't retain his job either as KKR named Kiwi stumper Brendon McCullum as its new captain, a decision that did not go down well in Kolkata.

Shah Rukh said it was not easy pleasing people in Kolkata where emotions run high and admitted there was tremendous pressure on his side.

"We are under a lot of pressure. We are a hyped team because the owners are from film industry and because we have the most passionate city backing us," the Bollywood actor said.

"For good and bad, the Kolkatans love us one night and one night they do get angry with our decisions. But I promise you guys that the dream I have is to come to Kolkata with the IPL trophy and dance. Will do some new steps for Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo," he said.

Incidentally, Sourav Ganguly played a cameo role in today's win with two quick wickets even though he didn't get a chance to bat.

Shah Rukh took the occasion to pledge his support for Ganguly and said for him, the former India captain remained the greatest KKR player.

"I want him to be the Player of the Tournament this year    . Whoever feels he is not given importance in the team, let me tell you that for me, he is the greatest Knight Riders player. He and (Chris) Gayle will compete for the 'Player of the Tournament' award," he said.

This is the interview that SRK gave to Mandira Bedi...on Set MAX yesterday. I don't think there is any hint that Kolkata name is being dropped from KKR........although, considering that IPL 2 is being played in SA, it makes business sense to use only Knight Riders......and keeping the Kolkata silent for the time being.

[Cover Point]

Why is Aunty missing from this thread? This should be her wet dream come true!!

You mean the wetness drying up, dont you ?

Aunty is mourning -- no Ganguly, no Kolkata, who will aunty b****h and moan about ? 

Menopause ..or Man on pause

couldnt resist, could you? Humesha maar khane ki aadat bahut buri hoti hai

[keep-it-cool]

I did some digging. On the name issue, IPL mandates that the team name should contain the name of the city. So it is BRC and not RC. Similarly, apparently SRK has kept the team name as KKR - just removed Kolkata from all merchandise. I'm sure there is no rule against this.

Basically, he's put up the money. It is his call. Why should he take it lying down if people are going to burn effigies and send hate mail just coz they do not agree with some decision that he may take (right or wrong). It is telling that he is even thinking of moving the franchise out of a city that should be the ideal one for franchise building. Besides SRK, I guess CAB and Kolkata also needs to introspect as to why things have come to such a state (if they indeed have).

Finally, that SRK is a great marketing person or guru is a myth created by his own chelas in the media. I entirely agree with Aamir's take on this - marketing and PR are two different things. SRK is great at PR ...not necessarily at marketing. The most recent example of the so called marketing whiz's goof up was how the entire Billu movie was promoted.

[kban1]

Basically, he's put up the money. It is his call. Why should he take it lying down if people are going to burn effigies and send hate mail just coz they do not agree with some decision that he may take (right or wrong). It is telling that he is even thinking of moving the franchise out of a city that should be the ideal one for franchise building. Besides SRK, I guess CAB and Kolkata also needs to introspect as to why things have come to such a state (if they indeed have).

I think you are missing the point that the decision to remove kolkata from the merchandise was taken long time ago --much before the captaincy saga and much before the hate mail saga. Also, the CAB issue was resolved as well.

Which means that these are hardly valid reasons.

lets talk about the real reason --the real reason is the entertainment tax that RC entertainment has to pay in West Bengal. The same entertainment tax that Shahrukh wanted Ganguly to use his personal influence with the CM to waive.

And when ganguly was not willing to take advantage of his relationship with the CM to aid owner / employer, employer decided then to move from the city --the threat of moving to Gujarat was first aired during last year's IPL. 

And its possibly the same strain between owner and ex captain that has led to the prefix called "ex".

Amidst all of these jostling over money, the machinations of tax waivers, and the owner's retaliation at his fragile ego being pricked, it is the CAB and Kolkata that has to do soul searching ?? 

Wha bhai wah!!

PS: Thats not to say nothing else is wrong --its just to point out that SRK's decision regarding Kolkata goes way deeper and fuurther back in time than hate mail and captaincy change, and effigy and all that crap.

[keep-it-cool]

Of course it may have nothing to do with hate mail etc but a businessman is well within his rights to take his business elsewhere if someone else is offering him a good deal. If it is entertainment tax, as you say, the same thing holds. If Gujarat, for instance, makes it more lucrative, that is SRK's call.The CAB issue was resolved, yes, but was it to the satisfaction of KKR or they opted for a compromise because it was too close to the tournament? Who knows? Again, it is the franchisee's call - if he thinks that he may need to keep fire fighting and doesn't want to get involved in that, fair enough.

Hate mail, effigies etc will only help him make up his mind on this one.

As I said, SRK needs to introspect about all the issues involved - on balance is it worth letting a cricket crazy catchement go for issues such as tax and stadium rights and some peace of mind? If after thinking through he thinks yes, then he is well within his rights to do so.

However, in the same vein, Kolkata also needs to introspect whether it wants to let a premium franchise walk away because of the issues involved. Ultimately they have the right to arrive at whatever decision.

But the stakes are high on both sides - and both parties need to think this through carefully - taking the longer term in mind rather than just this year or next or till the next election. Sort of like what Rams has written about the Deccan Chargers owners.