Last Updated on 2 days ago by Charbel Coorey

The Indian Premier League franchise, Rajasthan Royals (RR), has been sold to Kal Somani, who was already one of the stakeholders in the franchise. He will now have a 100% stake in the Royals franchise. 

The franchise has been valued at $1.63 billion (INR 16,290 crores). This doesn’t only include the Rajasthan Royals but also the Barbados Royals (CPL and WCPL) and the Paarl Royals in the SA20 league.

A consortium, led by Somali, will take over the franchise post the IPL 2026 season from the current ownership of Manoj Badale of Emerging Media. The Royals were the franchise that got the lowest bid amongst the eight franchises back in 2008 for US $67 million at that time. 

IPL’s founder Lalit Modi’s brother-in-law, Suresh Chelaram, held 56% stakes of the franchise before he exited, and then Manoj Badale emerged as the new owner. Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, owned 13% stake for INR 65 crores in 2009.

Kundra was later banned for life by the Loda committee for being involved in betting activities. RedBird Capital Partners acquired a 15% stake in the franchise for INR 550-600 crores back in 2021. 

As a part of the deal/agreement, if RedBird were to leave, the other shareholders may also have to sell. With RedBird wanting to exit, the others had no choice but to sell the franchise.

Shane Warne’s superb business mind 

Former Australian legend and arguably the best spinner ever, the late Shane Warne was the captain of the Royals in 2008, and he also led the side to a title in the inaugural season.

Warne asked for a 0.75% stake in the franchise till he plays for them. He went on to play in four editions, making him a 3% owner of the franchise. And now since the franchise has been sold for such big money, his 3% stake is worth somewhere around $4.6 billion dollars.