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The Indian Premier League is undoubtedly one of the biggest T20 tournaments in the world. With some of the best players from across the globe featuring in the league, there is always a lot of buzz and excitement around the cash-rich league. The owners of the franchises also play a significant role as they invest a lot of money in the smooth conduct of the tournament. The current owners of all the franchises are as follows:
1. Chennai Super Kings Owner – N Srinivasan (India Cements)
2. Delhi Capitals - Parth Jindal (JSW)
3. Kolkata Knight Riders - Juhi Chawla and Shah Rukh Khan (Red Chillies Entertainment)
4. Punjab Kings - Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia
5. Mumbai Indians Owner – Mukesh Ambani (Reliance)
6. Rajasthan Royals - Manoj Badale (British Asian Trust)
7. Royal Challengers Bangalore - United Spirits
8. Sunrisers Hyderabad Owner – Kalanithi Maran (Sun TV Network)
Two new teams in IPL 2022
BCCI had confirmed that two new teams will be added ahead of IPL 2022 where a mega auction will also take place. While the plans are currently on hold, the tenders for the new teams will be released ahead of the next season. Hence, it is quite evident that the purchase of an IPL team will require a hefty investment and only a few people in the country could afford the same. Check out the list of five possible business tycoons who would be in the race of buying the two new teams:
1. Gautam Adani (Adani Group)
Gautam Adani, the owner of Adani Group and the second richest person in India after Mukesh Ambani, is one of the leading contenders to buy the new IPL franchise. The Adani Group has a variety of businesses including logistics, agribusiness, real estate, energy, resources, financial services, defense, and aerospace. With the conglomerate set-up in Ahmedabad and one of the new franchises expected to be based from there, especially after the construction of the biggest cricket stadium (Narendra Modi Stadium) in the world, Adani Group are expected to be quite interested. The conglomerate also have a history of association with sports, having launched the ‘Garv Hai’ program to support athletes in India. They have also set up a football academy (Surguja Football Academy) in Chhattisgarh.
2. Sanjiv Goenka (Goenka Group)
The Goenka Group, also known as RPSG Group, could also be one of the contenders to buy the new IPL team. The conglomerate has many businesses in sectors like power, IT services, media and entertainment, consumer and retail, education, and sports. The group has been quite active in the sports industry as they own ISL franchise ATK Mohun Bagan and Ultimate Table Tennis team RPSG Mavericks Kolkata. They have also been a part of the Indian Premier League as they were the owners of the Rising Pune Supergiant team, which played in 2016 (finished 7th) and 2017 (finished as runners-up). With so much interest in sports and the know-how of running an IPL franchise, RPSG Group is well in the race to buy the new team which could be based in Pune.
3. Ronnie Screwvala (RSVP Movies)
Indian entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala is one of the leading businessmen in the country with various ventures like upGrad, Unilazer and RSVP Movies. The 58-year-old also owns a sports company called USports, which deals in Kabaddi, ESports and Football. He is the owner of one of the most successful franchises U Mumba in the Pro Kabaddi League. While Ronnie Screwala has invested heavily in non-cricket sports, he might seize this opportunity to finally make an entry to cricket as well. With so many high-profile names already there, the famous film producer could turn out to be one of the surprising contenders to own an IPL franchise next season.
4. Manpreet Singh Chadha (Chadha Group)
The diversified conglomerate Chadha Group, led by Mr Manpreet Singh Chadha (Monty Chadha) are expected to show interest in buying the new IPL franchise. They own the Wave Group which deals in various fields like manufacturing, real estate, education, sports, and entertainment. However, it's the interest of the group in sports which is something that can drive them towards the Indian Premier League. The Chadha Group had the majority stakes in Delhi Waveriders, a team that featured in Hockey India League. In the four seasons of the tournament, the franchise also won a title in one season, while finishing as runners-up in the other. With the experience of managing a successful sports franchise, Chadha Group could be one of the major contenders in the race.
5. Mohanlal (Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainment)
Famous Malayali actor and businessman Mohanlal Viswanathan is one of the surprising names in the list of people who would be interested in buying the new IPL franchise. The owner of Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainment has several other businesses like restaurants and packaged spices. The 60-year-old is a big cricket lover and has often be seen in stadiums watching the matches. He was also the captain of the Kerala Strikers team in the Celebrity Cricket League in 2012 and 2013. Notably, Mohanlal had also tried to bid for the Kochi-based franchise in 2009 but had to back out. With his businesses going very well, the actor might fulfil his dream of owning an IPL franchise which could well be based in Kochi.