INDIAN MIDDLE-ORDER BATSMAN Suresh Raina has signed a three year deal with leading sports management group, IOS Sports & Entertainment.
IOS will now manage Raina's endorsements and brand associations, corporate profile, patents and digital rights, images, visibility on social networking sites and merchandise.
"I was in touch with Neerav from past few months and we had several rounds of dialogs. I have been observing his company doing very interesting work for Olympic Sportspersons," Raina said.
"I believe IOS had all requisite credentials I needed, importantly they have a passionate and dedicated team who understands the space and comfort that a sportsperson needs.
"I am very happy to be represented by IOS and I am also elated that I would be working with the company that has produced results in the recent past," said Raina, who is celebrating 10 years of his international debut on July 30.
Raina is the first cricketer IOS has signed. IOS manages some elite sportspersons such as Olympic medalists Vijender Singh, boxer MC Mary Kom, wrestler Sushil Kumar.
Commenting on this deal, Neerav Tomar, MD & CEO IOS Sports & Entertainment said: "I am really excited about signing the deal with Suresh Raina. We were in touch with each other for a longtime and finally we have signed the deal.
"I am sure we will have a great partnership working together. Raina has been very consistent in all formats of the game and has the flexibility to adapt and play as the situation demands.
"We already have our plans in place for managing Suresh Raina. Initially we will be doing his brand imagery. Also, we will be looking at brands that suits his image and fits his profile," he added.
IOS, which is also celebrating 10 years of successful operations, works closely with more than 20 other sports stars including shuttler Saina Nehwal, shooter Gagan Narang, Indian men's hockey captain Sardar Singh, wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, shooter Heena Sidhu, hockey stars Sandeep Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh, archer Deepika Kumari, India's No. 1 squash player Sourav Ghoshal.