$1.3BN Rajasthan Royals Bid Sets New IPL Valuation Benchmark

The Rajasthan Royals franchise has received a preliminary acquisition offer that provides a new reference point for Indian Premier League valuations. A consortium led by US entrepreneur Kal Somani, who already holds a minority stake in the Jaipur based club, has submitted an indicative bid of approximately $1.3 billion, according to reports. The proposal forms part of a broader ownership review process and reflects continued investor interest in established IPL assets amid rising franchise valuations.

The bid, emerging from a formalised sale process for one of the IPL’s original eight franchises, represents a dramatic escalation from the league’s earlier valuations and could set a new high water mark for franchise deals. The sale is being managed by Raine Group, the investment bank behind several marquee global sports transactions, and comes with a valuation floor of about $1.1 billion.

Rajasthan Royals’ current ownership is anchored by Emerging Media Ventures, led by Manoj Badale, with minority stakes held by RedBird Capital Partners and Tiger Global. The franchise’s rise from one of the least expensive in the IPL’s inaugural 2008 auction to a potential billion dollar sale underscores the league’s commercial maturity, driven by explosive media rights growth and fan engagement across Asia and beyond.

Industry insiders also see the Royals’ sale process as a bellwether for other IPL teams.Reports suggest that Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the franchise long synonymous with Virat Kohli and one of the IPL’s most recognisable global brands, has also been formally placed on the market and could attract bids pushing toward the $2 billion bracket, highlighting an acceleration in private equity and strategic investor interest across the league. 

Media rights dynamics remain a key variable. The next IPL broadcast cycle, due post 2027, will be the true litmus test for sustained investor appetite. While some analysts anticipate that growth rates may moderate from previous record highs, the scale of bid interest suggests the league’s blend of entertainment, technology integration and global reach remains highly compelling.

For cricket’s wider commercial ecosystem, a successful sale of the Royals at or near $1.3 billion would not only redefine IPL franchise valuations but also catalyse further ownership movement across one of sport’s most valuable leagues.