Who is the Owner of Rajasthan Royals?

Rajasthan Royals are one of the original eight IPL franchises, famous for winning the very first IPL title in 2008 under Shane Warne. But who actually owns the team? The ownership structure of the Royals has changed over the years and now includes British investors, an American private equity firm and media figures.

This article explains who owns Rajasthan Royals, how the ownership is divided, the key people running the franchise, and the team’s journey from its 2008 founding to today.

Rajasthan Royals Ownership at a Glance

Manoj Badale: The Lead Owner

Manoj Badale is the face of Rajasthan Royals ownership. A British businessman of Indian origin, he co-founded Blenheim Chalcot, a London-based venture builder, and holds the majority stake in the franchise through his investment company Emerging Media.

Badale has been involved with the Royals since the beginning and steered the franchise through difficult periods, including the 2010 expulsion controversy and the two-year suspension in 2016 and 2017. Under his leadership, the Royals rebuilt and reached the IPL final again in 2022.

RedBird Capital’s Investment

In 2021, American private equity firm RedBird Capital Partners acquired a 15 percent stake in Rajasthan Royals for a reported 37.5 million dollars, valuing the franchise at around 250 million dollars. RedBird, founded by former Goldman Sachs executive Gerry Cardinale, also has investments in Fenway Sports Group and AC Milan.

The deal was one of the first major private equity investments in an IPL team and signalled growing global investor interest in the league’s franchises.

How Rajasthan Royals Were Founded

Rajasthan Royals were founded in 2008 when the IPL’s original eight franchises were auctioned. The Jaipur-based team was bought by a consortium led by Manoj Badale’s Emerging Media, with Lachlan Murdoch among the early investors.

Few expected much from the team in the inaugural season. With a young squad, no big-name Indian stars and Shane Warne as captain-coach, the Royals were rank outsiders. They defied every prediction, playing fearless cricket to win IPL 2008 and become the first champions in tournament history.

In 2010, the BCCI briefly terminated the franchise’s contract over alleged ownership irregularities, along with Kings XI Punjab. The Royals challenged the decision in court and were reinstated, returning to the league for the 2011 season.

The episode was a reminder of how fragile franchise ownership can be in a young league. The Royals’ legal victory kept the team alive, but it also pushed the owners to clean up the shareholding structure, a process that continued over the following decade with new investors coming in and early ones exiting.

The Suspension Years and the Comeback

Following the 2013 spot-fixing scandal, the Lodha Committee suspended Rajasthan Royals for the 2016 and 2017 seasons after finding co-owner Raj Kundra guilty of betting. The franchise used the time to rebuild its management and scouting systems.

The Royals returned in 2018 with a renewed focus on young talent and data-driven auctions. That approach paid off in 2022, when they reached the IPL final under Sanju Samson, losing to Gujarat Titans but re-establishing themselves among the league’s elite.

Rajasthan Royals’ Global Teams

The Royals’ owners have expanded the brand beyond the IPL. Through Royal Multisport, the group owns the Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League and the Paarl Royals in South Africa’s SA20 league.

This multi-team model allows shared scouting, coaching methods and player development pathways across three continents, and it has become a template other IPL franchises have followed.

Rajasthan Royals’ Auction Philosophy

The Royals have built a reputation as the IPL’s smartest auction operators. With historically smaller budgets than teams like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, they focused early on unearthing uncapped Indian talent and undervalued overseas players.

This approach produced stars like Sanju Samson, who joined as a teenager and grew into the captain, and found value picks such as Jos Buttler before he became a global superstar. The franchise’s data-driven auction table, run by a team of analysts, is now considered among the best in the league.

The strategy is not without risk. Big-money signings have sometimes flopped, and the team has missed the playoffs in several seasons. But when the model clicks, as it did in 2008 and 2022, the Royals punch far above their financial weight.

The Royals’ Home: Jaipur

The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur has been the Rajasthan Royals’ home since 2008. Known for its passionate crowds and traditionally spin-friendly pitch, the ground has witnessed some of the franchise’s greatest nights, including their unbeaten home run during the title-winning 2008 campaign.

The stadium underwent major renovations ahead of the team’s return, and it remains central to the Royals’ identity as Rajasthan’s team, with the owners investing in grassroots cricket programmes across the state.

Captains Through the Years

Shane Warne set the template in 2008 as captain-coach, backing young players and thinking outside the box. Rahul Dravid then led the side with calm authority from 2012 to 2013, guiding them to the playoffs and the Champions League T20 final.

Steve Smith captained the team in 2020 and 2021 before Sanju Samson took over in 2021. Samson, a product of the Royals’ own development pathway, led them to the 2022 final and remains the face of the franchise’s long-term project.

FAQs

Who is the owner of Rajasthan Royals?

Rajasthan Royals are owned by Royal Multisport Pvt Ltd. The lead owner is British businessman Manoj Badale through his company Emerging Media, with RedBird Capital Partners holding a 15 percent stake and Lachlan Murdoch as a minority investor.

Who is the CEO of Rajasthan Royals?

Jake Lush McCrum is the Chief Executive Officer of Rajasthan Royals, and Ranjit Barthakur serves as the Executive Chairman.

How much is Rajasthan Royals worth?

When RedBird Capital Partners bought a 15 percent stake in 2021 for a reported 37.5 million dollars, the franchise was valued at around 250 million dollars. Valuations have risen significantly since then as IPL media rights have grown.

Who was the first owner of Rajasthan Royals?

The founding ownership consortium in 2008 was led by Manoj Badale’s Emerging Media, with investors including Lachlan Murdoch. Badale remains the lead owner today.

Which other teams do the Rajasthan Royals owners own?

Through Royal Multisport, the Royals’ owners also own the Barbados Royals in the CPL and the Paarl Royals in South Africa’s SA20.