Sunil Gavaskar, who had co-founded India’s first sports management company in 1985, was recently made to choose between commentary and business. Gavaskar had to make a tough choice and his Professional Management Group (PMG) has decided to shut down its player management wing. However, Gavaskar will continue to remain its chairman. PMG was handling three Indian players – Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant and Sarfraz Khan. They were also handling the services of hockey player Sardar Singh. With the players released from the management, they will be up for grabs for other sports management companies.

sports wing

Gavaskar was caught in conflict of interest with regards to his business few months ago for which he said, “I do not have a conflict of interest. Show me one instance where I have tried to influence the selection committee. It’s baffling to find my integrity has been questioned,” as quoted. The Indian cricket board’s new rules state that there will be no two sources of income from the BCCI. Although PMG will be doing away with their sports wing, it will focus on events, media and public relation, awards and ratings.

Speaking on the wing shutting down, the Chief Operating Officer of PMG, Melroy D’Souza added, “PMG has decided to concentrate on other part of the business. We were looking digital and creating IPs (intellectual properties). The focus has been shifted from player management to other parts of the business so we decided to terminate the contract. Other things will continue. He (Gavaskar) is the chairman of PMG. The basic part is PMG is now out of player management business.”

Meanwhile, the famous CEAT awards are also handled by PMG. D’Souza threw light on what is the future for the awards, “What has CEAT awards to do with PMG? It’s CEAT who had contacted PMG.”

On the other hand, Sarfraz’s father Naushad Khan was already aware about the termination, “They (PMG) told us that the company is terminating the contract with immediate effect. Shayad kuch Lodha Committee ka panga hua hai. (Perhaps, because of the trouble with Lodha committee reforms). We did not ask anything further and signed the documents.”