Yuvraj wins case against Percept

Yuvraj Singh may be out desperately trying to get into the Test team, but he has won the legal test comprehensively.

The brand endorsements of the vice-captain of the 20:20 Indian cricket team will now be taken care of by Globosport, the sports marketing agency promoted by tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi.

Singh, whose seven-year association with Percept Talent Management is coming to an end shortly, was approached by Globosport recently. However, Percept went to court because it had the first right of refusal to match any competitor's offer.

The Bombay High Court, which heard the matter today, ruled in favour of Yuvraj Singh and said that he is free to sign any contract with another sports management agency when his contract with Percept expires.

Sources said that Globosport will manage Singh's account throughout his career.

Globosport Vice-President Anirban Das Blah said, "As and when the law allows us to make an offer to Yuvraj Singh, we will."

When a cricketer comes on board with a sports management company he usually gets a minimum guaranteed amount for three to five years.

When an endorsement deal is signed, the agency gets 15 per cent commission on the total value of the deal. But the deal value in this case could be huge considering that Globosport is expected to manage Singh's brand communications throughout his cricketing career.

Percept has earlier been involved in court cases with Zaheer Khan and Sourav Ganguly.

The image management company lost Khan's case, but Ganguly stayed on after Percept matched the amount rival agency Nimbus Communications was offering.

The sports management company now handles former Indian captain Ganguly and bowler S Sreesanth. Sources said Sreesanth's contract will end early 2008.

During Singh's association with Percept, he endorsed brands such as Microsoft, Reebok, Pepsi, Donear Suitings, Marico, SBI Cards, Trent, Seagram and Hero Honda.