Chris Gayle named brand ambassador of Vijay Mallya’s UB Group

Chris Gayle (L), who joined RCB in 2011 IPL, was the highest scorer in the tournament © AFP

Mumbai: Jan 20, 2012

Swashbuckling opener Chris Gayle, signed up by Royal Challengers Bangalore for the next two IPL seasons, will be the brand ambassador for scotch whiskey Whyte and Mackay of Vijay Mallya's UB Group, the owner of the cricket franchise.

The development may not go down well with the other franchises, sources said, as the left-handed batsman would be paid an additional US$ 5,00,000 to be the brand ambassador by UB Group, but RCB's purse for buying other players at the IPL auction on February 4 would not be reduced accordingly.

"He was bought for USD 2 million and is to be paid separately for this. RCB would still have USD 2 million to spend on buying other players at this year's IPL auction (on February 4). The other franchises will not be happy with this," the sources told PTI.

The former Windies captain, who joined RCB in 2011 IPL and became the highest scorer in the tournament, has been bought for USD 2 million, which would be deducted from the Bangalore franchise's purse at the auction. The amount that can be spent altogether is capped at USD 4 million.

Gayle, who has stopped playing for West Indies after falling out with the Caribbean nation's cricket board, was a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the first three IPLs.

Glasgow's Whyte and Mackay, established in 1844, has been acquired by Mallya's United Breweries through its UK-based arm United Spirits Limited for 595 million pound sterlings.(PTI)