Chopra’s rising affect off the sphere displays a broader shift in India’s sports activities advertising and marketing panorama.
His model worth is estimated at $30 million by Kroll, putting him simply behind the nation’s main cricketers.
Held on July 5 at Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Neeraj Chopra Basic introduced collectively prime worldwide athletes and drew a number of main sponsors, together with Visa, Audi India, Duolingo English Check, and Snapchat.
In a rustic the place cricket has historically dominated the sports activities panorama, it was as soon as uncommon for a non-cricket athlete to draw the curiosity of prime manufacturers.
Endorsements linked to rising sports activities made up 14% of India’s ?1,224-crore sports celebrity endorsement market within the final yr—a 46% improve that business executives say is pushed by athletes like Chopra.Chopra, who received India’s first ever Olympic gold medal in athletics on the Tokyo 2020 Video games and adopted it up with a silver at 2024 Paris Video games, has sustained his model relevance over time.“During the last fiscal yr, we’ve seen a transparent and strategic evolution in Neeraj’s model portfolio,” mentioned Karan Yadav, chief business officer at JSW Sports, which manages Chopra’s business portfolio.
His endorsement roster has practically 20 high-profile manufacturers together with Tata AIA, Audi India, Visa, Krafton, and Beneath Armour.
Yadav mentioned the main target has at all times been on being selective. “As a substitute of maximising quantity, our purpose has been to align with manufacturers that resonate with Neeraj’s character, values, and passions,” he mentioned.
He cited the latest tie-up with Audi—a model that Chopra at all times had a deep admiration for as a consequence of his ardour for cars. “The alignment was so robust that the collaboration turned a seamless extension of Neeraj’s id,” Yadav mentioned.
Chopra now instructions endorsement charges of round ?4 crore for shorter engagements, with total deal values starting from ?4-6 crore. “One latest renewal is nearing the ?10 crore mark over three years,” Yadav mentioned.
He mentioned Chopra has a constant public picture—“genuine, grounded, disciplined, and honest.”
“Not like many public figures, there’s no distinction between Neeraj off-camera and on-camera,” Yadav mentioned.
Chopra’s model companions agree.
“Neeraj Chopra exemplifies what it means to be grounded and disciplined whereas pursuing excellence. Attributes that mirror our ethos,” mentioned Venky Iyer, managing director and CEO of Tata AIA Life Insurance coverage.
Yadav mentioned the big variety of manufacturers that partnered with the Neeraj Chopra Basic displays the occasion’s robust potential. It’s prone to develop into a recurring occasion on the worldwide athletics circuit, he mentioned.
Chopra’s method to endorsements avoids one-off influencer campaigns in favour of deeper, long-term associations.
Even within the digital house, Chopra is very selective. He has taken an fairness stake in regional OTT platform Stage and is open to related cash-plus-equity fashions, however solely when the match is true, and the model provides long-term worth.
“We’re additionally in superior conversations with a few different manufacturers throughout totally different classes the place Neeraj would come on board as each an envoy and stakeholder,” Yadav mentioned.
Chopra may think about launching his personal model, although any transfer in that course could be approached with warning, he mentioned.
“If the best alternative arises the place Neeraj is deeply invested emotionally and strategically, we are going to pursue it,” Yadav mentioned. “It needs to be constructed round genuine curiosity and long-term dedication, not simply capitalising on short-term fame.”
Chopra’s trajectory factors to a shift in how manufacturers view athletes exterior the cricketing enviornment.
“Cricket will proceed to dominate, however the non-cricket house is evolving,” Yadav mentioned. “What we’re seeing is that manufacturers that need differentiation, authenticity, and long-term storytelling are turning to athletes like Neeraj.”
