Corruption and Sponsor Value: An Event Study Analysis

This study quantifies the negative effects of corruption on sponsors of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and presents unbiased sponsor-linked outcomes as its results. The event study methodology was used for the purpose of measuring the reaction of the Indian shareholders to the unexpected event that was the decision of the Supreme Court of India to ban two teams and several officials from cricketing affairs for life in response to the discovery of corruption. The results of this study show there is an immediate loss in firm value for sponsors that are linked to events and teams proved to be corrupt. The negative effects are larger for firms that are event sponsors, as compared to team sponsors. Some sponsors of non-corrupt teams also suffered damage due to the announcement of the Court; however, this effect was short-lived and wore off relatively quickly.