The sale of IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals is set to deliver a massive financial gain to the family of late Australian legend Shane Warne, nearly two decades after he joined the team. According to reports, the franchise has been sold to a US-led consortium headed by entrepreneur Kal Somani for $1.63 billion, or roughly Rs15,240 to Rs15,290 crore. At that valuation, Warne’s reported 3% stake could be worth about Rs450 crore to Rs460 crore. How Warne Built the Stake NDTV reported that when Warne signed with Rajasthan Royals before the inaugural IPL season in 2008, he inserted a clause in his contract that gave him a 0.75% ownership stake for every season he played for the franchise. Warne spent four seasons with the Royals, taking his total holding to 3%. The report said he was not only appointed captain, but also given sweeping authority over cricket operations. NDTV also quoted Warne as saying in an interview with The Herald Sun: “Part of my deal… they asked me to be the captain, coach, and run a cricket team the way I wanted… I was the one-stop shop.” That arrangement now appears to have become one of the smartest commercial moves of his career. Why the Amount Is So Big The scale of the windfall is tied directly to the soaring value of IPL teams. Rajasthan Royals were originally bought for $67 million in 2008. The reported new sale price of $1.63 billion represents a roughly 24-fold rise in dollar terms, according to The Times of India. Investor appetite for IPL teams has climbed sharply as media rights values surged and the league’s revenue-sharing model continued to strengthen franchise earnings. Reuters noted this broader trend while reporting a separate IPL franchise sale this week. The Royals’ rise also carries cricketing significance. Warne captained the side to the IPL title in the league’s inaugural 2008 season, still the franchise’s only championship. His role in shaping the team’s identity remains central to the Royals story, which makes the current financial outcome even more striking. Who Bought Rajasthan Royals The Times of India reported that the new consortium is led by Kal Somani and includes major US sports-linked investors. The group is backed by Rob Walton, owner of the NFL’s Denver Broncos, and members of the Hamp family, including Sheila Ford Hamp of the Detroit Lions. The report added that ownership will take effect after IPL 2026. What Happens Next According to NDTV, Warne’s family would be eligible to cash out the stake after the conclusion of IPL 2026, though the transaction still requires approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Warne died in 2022, but the equity clause he secured while playing for Rajasthan Royals now appears set to become a major part of his family’s financial legacy. Why This Story Stands Out This is not just a story about a franchise sale. It is also a story about foresight. Long before IPL valuations exploded, Warne appears to have recognized the league’s business potential. Years later, that decision may hand his family one of the most remarkable delayed payoffs in cricket history.
Team Sialkot Ownership Shake-up: New Strategic Partner Set to Buy 90% Stake in PSL Franchise
Team Sialkot, the newest franchise in the expanded Pakistan Super League (PSL), is on the verge of a major ownership change just weeks before its debut season. A new investor has agreed to purchase over 90% of shares in the team after financial issues hit its original owners. This move will significantly reshape the administrative control of the franchise. The PSL expanded from six to eight teams for the 2026 season, and Sialkot was awarded one of the new slots at a high-profile auction in January. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that OZ Group secured the franchise for Rs1.85 billion. The team will be known as Sialkot Stallionz and is set to compete alongside established sides such as Lahore Qalandars, Islamabad United and Karachi Kings. Read More: Game-Changer for PSL 11: Steve Smith Joins Sialkot Stallionz in Landmark Deal Despite the early excitement, OZ Group soon faced financial difficulties. After the successful bid, its local and Swiss partners withdrew due to concerns about the high purchase price and future obligations. This left the franchise struggling to meet payment deadlines and fulfill franchise requirements. Initially, OZ Group had planned to transfer a 75% stake to another investor. A press event was held in Lahore and Karachi to announce the new partner, Muhammad Shahid, but no funds were ever received. When that arrangement collapsed, PCB began searching for another qualified and financially stable investor. According to trusted sources close to the negotiations, a party that had not succeeded in the original bidding process has now agreed to buy more than 90% of the franchise shares. This deal would effectively remove OZ Group’s administrative control. Under PSL rules, however, a full 100% ownership transfer cannot occur until three years have passed since the initial sale. The incoming investor is expected to act as a strategic partner, bringing fresh capital and stability to the Sialkot franchise. Read More: From Domestic Legends to PSL Debut: Sialkot Stallionz Announced The PCB also investigated the existing ownership group and found that one of the original owners had previously declared bankruptcy. This raised concerns about long-term financial sustainability and added urgency to secure a more credible backer. The new investor is reportedly financially stable, and officials expect an official announcement within the next week. The ownership turmoil has also impacted leadership roles. Veteran fast bowler and former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram had been named president of Sialkot Stallionz as part of an earlier proposed 75% stake deal. However, he confirmed that no formal agreement was ever finalized, and he is no longer associated with the franchise. As PSL 11 approaches, Sialkot’s ownership changes will be closely watched. Fans and analysts hope that new investment will ensure a stable future for the team and strong competition on the field. With cricket fever building across Pakistan ahead of the March 26 season kick-off, Sialkot’s journey into the league promises to be one of the most talked-about stories of the year.
