Nimbus denies Ganguly deal

Rumours about Sourav Ganguly seeking a new marketing agent intensified even as World Sports Nimbus strongly denied reports that it had offered Ganguly Rs 60 crore (US$12.5 million approx) as guarantee money over a five-year period. The Times of India quoted Harish Thawani, co-chairman of WSN, as saying: "We have given no such proposal to Ganguly, nor are we contemplating to. There is no resolution even in the company board of taking cricketers on board for celebrity management."

Earlier reports had suggested that WSN wanted to sign up Ganguly once his current marketing agreement with Percept expires on August 31. According to the Ananda Bazaar Patrika, Nimbus had supposedly offered a deal whereby Ganguly would be guaranteed the money, regardless of whether or not the firm made a profit. It was also not contingent on his remaining captain of India.

Ganguly is in Sydney for a commercial shoot, and has refused to either confirm or deny the rumours.