Mobile Premier League

MPL was founded by Sai Srinivas Kiran and Shubham Malhotra in 2018, initially offering puzzle games and casual games and expanding to fantasy sports the following year. {{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Rajiv |title=MPL: Forging A League Of Its Own |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/sports-tech-special/mpl-forging-a-league-of-its-own/77127/1 |access-date=18 June 2022 |work=Forbes India |date=9 June 2022 |language=en}} The company connects game publishers with users via its app platform.{{cite news |last1=Rai |first1=Saritha |title=Gaming-Contest App Becomes Unicorn After Lockdowns Drive Growth |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-15/gaming-contest-app-becomes-unicorn-after-lockdowns-drive-growth |access-date=18 June 2022 |work=bloomberg |date=15 September 2021}} In 2021, the company bought over GamingMonk, an esports community platform.{{cite news |title=Mobile Premier League acquires GamingMonk; launches Esports arena |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/mobile-premier-league-acquires-gamingmonk-launched-esports-arena/articleshow/82162697.cms |access-date=18 June 2022 |work=The Economic Times |date=20 April 2021}}

The company currently offers 60 games in categories such as fantasy sports, sports games, puzzle, casual and board games. Given that certain games are banned in certain jurisdictions, the company has had to alter its offerings based on the users region. It employs over 800 people spread across offices in Bengaluru, Pune, Singapore and New York. {{cite news |last1=Soni |first1=Yatti |title=MPL's India biz turns break even; eyes global expansion |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/sports/mpls-india-biz-turns-break-even-eyes-global-expansion/article36569806.ece |access-date=18 June 2022 |work=thehindubusinessline |date=20 September 2021 |language=en}} The company claims to have over 90 million registered users on its platform.

A report by Mobile Premier League (MPL), that was published in 2024, has raised concerns about cybercriminals targeting young gamers for financial gain, exploiting their vulnerability and innocence. These scams pose significant risks to children's safety, privacy, and financial security, with potential consequences including identity theft, unauthorized bank access, and cyberbullying. Scammers often use psychological tricks and create fictitious identities, especially with the rise of AI.{{Cite web |last=publisher |date=2024-10-08 |title=New Research Waves Red Flag Over Gaming Scams Aimed at Kids |url=https://www.technewsworld.com/story/new-research-waves-red-flag-over-gaming-scams-aimed-at-kids-179408.html |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=TechNewsWorld |language=en-US}}

MPL began as a mobile gaming application in India. It expanded to Indonesia, its second country market in 2019.{{cite news |last1=Bhushan |first1=Kul |title=Indian gaming unicorn MPL lays off 100 staff, exits Indonesia |url=https://www.techinasia.com/exclusive-indian-gaming-unicorn-mpl-lays-100-employees-exits-indonesia |access-date=18 June 2022 |work=techinasia |date=30 May 2022}}

In 2021, the company entered a third country when it launched operations in USA.{{cite news |last1=Tewari |first1=Saumya |title=Esports firm Mobile Premier League launches operations in US market |url=https://www.livemint.com/sports/news/esports-firm-mobile-premier-league-launches-operations-in-us-market-11625128391109.html |access-date=18 June 2022 |work=mint |date=1 July 2021 |language=en}} In 2022, the company bought out GameDuell, a games studio based in Berlin thus giving it an entry into the European market.{{cite news |last1=Laghate |first1=Gaurav |title=Mobile Premier League acquires German games studio GameDuell |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/mobile-premier-league-acquires-german-games-studio-gameduell/articleshow/89890049.cms |access-date=18 June 2022 |work=The Economic Times |date=28 February 2022}}

As a part of cutbacks in 2022, the company announced it would exit the Indonesian market amongst other measures.{{cite news |last1=Dilipkumar |first1=Bhavya |title=Mobile Premier League to lay off 100 workers, exit Indonesia |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/mobile-premier-league-to-lay-off-100-workers-exit-indonesia/articleshow/91895719.cms |access-date=18 June 2022 |work=The Economic Times |date=30 May 2022}}

In 2019, the company became a broadcast partner for the Indian Premier League. It also signed up cricketer Virat Kohli as a brand ambassador. In 2020, the company became sponsors for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

A subsidiary of the online gaming platform, MPL Sports Apparel & Accessories was the official kit sponsor of the Indian Men's Cricket Team, Indian Women's Cricket Team, and Indian Under-19 Cricket Team from November 2020 till December 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-22 |title=Byju's, MPL want to exit sponsorship deal with BCCI |url=https://www.livemint.com/sports/cricket-news/byjus-mpl-want-to-exit-sponsorship-deal-with-bcci-11671667265482.html |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=mint |language=en}} {{cite news |title=BCCI announces MPL Sports as official Kit sponsor for Indian cricket team |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/sports/bcci-announces-mpl-sports-as-official-kit-sponsor-for-indian-cricket-team-120111700423_1.html |access-date=18 June 2022 |work=Business Standard India |agency=PTI |date=17 November 2020}}

In 2021, MPL Sports Foundation was announced as the principal sponsor of the Indian contingent participating in the 2020 Summer Olympics, 2022 Asian Games and 2022 Commonwealth Games under a partnership with the Indian Olympic Association.{{cite news |title=Tokyo 2020: IOA ropes in MPL, Amul as sponsors |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/olympics/tokyo-olympics/indian-olympic-association-ioa-sponsors-tokyo-2020-mpl-sports-jersey-amul-commonwealth-asian-games/article34841199.ece |access-date=25 June 2022 |work=The Hindu |agency=PTI |language=en}}

MPL counts Sequoia Capital, Go Ventures, RTP Global, Go-Ventures, Moore Strategic Ventures, Play Ventures, Base Partners, Telstra Ventures, Founders Circle Capital, and Times Internet amongst its investors.{{cite news |last1=Salz |first1=Peggy Anne |title=The New Playtime: The Secret To MPL's Massive Mobile Success |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/peggyannesalz/2020/04/09/the-new-playtime-the-secret-to-mpls-massive-mobile-success/?sh=1911c0ae5513 |access-date=18 June 2022 |work=Forbes |date=9 April 2020 |language=en}} In 2021, it became India's second gaming unicorn when it raised funding in its Series E round at a valuation of $2.3 billion from Legatum Capital, RTP Global, Go-Ventures, Play Ventures, Base Partners, Founders Circle Capital and existing investors.{{cite news |last1=Abrar |first1=Peerzada |title=Gaming start-up Mobile Premier League valued at $2.3 bn, joins unicorn club |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/gaming-start-up-mobile-premier-league-valued-at-2-3-bn-joins-unicorn-club-121091500559_1.html |access-date=25 June 2022 |work=Business Standard India |date=15 September 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Paul |first1=Binu |title=MPL becomes India's second gaming unicorn after Dream11 |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/entrepreneurship/news/story/mpl-becomes-indias-second-gaming-unicorn-after-dream11-306747-2021-09-15 |access-date=25 June 2022 |work=Business Today |date=15 September 2021 |language=en}}

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Category:Fantasy sports websites

Category:Companies based in Bengaluru