The post “Our objective is to take rugby to different parts of the country and expose new audiences to the sport.” -Mr Sujoy Ganguly, Vice President & CMO, GMR Sports appeared first on SportsMint Media. Rugby Premier League (RPL) is gearing up for its second season, building on a debut campaign that attracted significant corporate interest and helped introduce the sport to a wider Indian audience. The post “Our objective is to take rugby to different parts of the country and expose new audiences to the sport.” -Mr Sujoy Ganguly, Vice President & CMO, GMR Sports appeared first on SportsMint Media.
The post “Our objective is to take rugby to different parts of the country and expose new audiences to the sport.” -Mr Sujoy Ganguly, Vice President & CMO, GMR Sports appeared first on SportsMint Media.
India’s Rugby Premier League (RPL) is gearing up for its second season, building on a debut campaign that attracted significant corporate interest and helped introduce the sport to a wider Indian audience. Backed by GMR Sports and Rugby India, the league enters Season 2 with a new host city, Hyderabad, the addition of a women’s competition, and continued ambitions to grow rugby’s footprint across the country.
In conversation with SportsMint Media, Sujoy Ganguly, who leads marketing and commercial operations at GMR Sports, discusses the league’s commercial performance, the transition from Mumbai to Hyderabad, the challenges of building an entirely new sporting ecosystem, and why the focus remains firmly on long-term growth rather than short-term returns.
Q: Did Season 1 meet GMR Sports’ expectations from a commercial standpoint?
I think we actually went beyond our expectations. We secured 17 sponsors, which is a significant achievement for a non-cricket sports property in India. We were extremely happy with the response from corporates and global brands who chose to associate with a relatively new sport in the country. The market response was very encouraging and gave us confidence in the long-term potential of the league.
Q: GMR was the title sponsor during the inaugural season. With HSBC taking over that role for Season 2, how does GMR remain involved with the league?
GMR Sports continues to play a much larger role than that of a sponsor. We are partners with Rugby India in building the league. That includes bringing franchises on board, managing broadcast partnerships, securing sponsors and driving the overall commercial and marketing strategy for the property.
In the first season, we believed strongly in the concept and wanted a recognised brand to stand behind the league. We therefore took the decision to position GMR as the title sponsor. The idea was always to stabilise the property first and then bring in a long-term partner that shared the vision of developing rugby in India. HSBC’s association is a positive step in that direction.
Q: GMR Sports has extensive experience operating franchises such as Delhi Capitals and UP Yoddhas. How different is it to build and manage an entire league?
It is completely different. Running a franchise and building a league are two separate challenges. A league involves managing an entire ecosystem, including broadcast partnerships, production, sponsorships, franchise relationships and overall governance.
While we have many years of experience on the franchise side, creating a league was a new journey for us. It involved working closely with the Rugby India federation, broadcasters, franchise owners and sponsors to establish a sustainable structure. It was challenging but also extremely rewarding.
Q: Why was Hyderabad chosen as the host city for Season 2 after Mumbai staged the inaugural edition?
The decision was not driven by commercial considerations. Our objective is to take rugby to different parts of the country and expose new audiences to the sport.
In the early years, a centralised format is important because it allows us to operate sustainably. Over time, as the league grows, there will be opportunities to expand further. Hyderabad also offers excellent infrastructure, and we have received tremendous support from the Telangana government and local stakeholders. The city is positioning itself as a major sporting hub, which aligns well with our ambitions.
Q: The introduction of a women’s competition comes very early in the league’s journey. What drove that decision?
There were two reasons. Firstly, as a group, we strongly believe in equal opportunities. Secondly, Indian women’s rugby is progressing rapidly. The national team is currently ranked among the top teams in Asia, and there is a long-term vision of qualifying for the Olympics.
We felt it was the right time to create a platform for women players. The support from franchises, Rugby India, World Rugby and broadcasters was extremely positive. We are bringing some of the world’s best players to compete alongside Indian talent, which we believe will accelerate development in the same way that the Women’s Premier League has contributed to women’s cricket.
Q: With the addition of the women’s competition, do you expect an increase in media rights value and sponsorship valuations?
Those benefits may come over time, but right now our priority is different. When you’re building a new sport in a country, the first objective is to establish the right ecosystem and attract the right partners.
Of course, increased content and wider participation can improve viewership and commercial value in the future. But our focus remains on strengthening the foundations of the sport. If we get those fundamentals right, the commercial side will naturally follow.
Q: What do those fundamentals look like from your perspective?
Fundamentally, it’s about building players and creating pathways for talent development. The league is one part of that ecosystem. Franchises begin investing in players, academies and grassroots programmes. Fans start following athletes. Young players become inspired to take up the sport.
We’ve seen similar journeys in other sports. Growth doesn’t happen overnight. It requires consistency and long-term commitment from all stakeholders. If we continue building the player base and strengthening the ecosystem, the sport will grow organically and sustainably.
Q: Is expansion already being discussed for future seasons?
At this stage, our focus is on getting the current structure right. There is interest from potential stakeholders, but we believe it is important to strengthen the foundation before expanding further. Once the ecosystem matures and the sport continues to grow, expansion opportunities will naturally emerge.
Q: Looking ahead, what would define success for the Rugby Premier League over the next few years?
Success would be seeing rugby grow at every level. More players, stronger academies, greater fan engagement, increased participation and sustained commercial support. If we can build a strong ecosystem around the sport, everything else will follow.
The Rugby Premier League remains firmly in its growth phase, prioritising ecosystem development over immediate commercial returns. With Hyderabad hosting Season 2, the introduction of a women’s competition and continued support from sponsors and broadcasters, the league is steadily laying the foundations for long-term expansion.
Whether those foundations ultimately translate into sustained audience growth and stronger commercial returns remains to be seen. However, as Ganguly suggests, the league’s future will depend less on short-term metrics and more on its ability to develop players, create fan engagement and build a thriving rugby ecosystem from the ground up.
The post “Our objective is to take rugby to different parts of the country and expose new audiences to the sport.” -Mr Sujoy Ganguly, Vice President & CMO, GMR Sports appeared first on SportsMint Media.
