JetSynthesys, a global leader in sports management, digital entertainment and technology, has announced legendary playback singer Sonu Nigam as the owner of Kolkata Hawks in Season 3 of the Global e-Cricket Premier League (GEPL), the world’s only franchise-based e-cricket league. The news coincides with the reveal of Scout (Tanmay Singh), one of India’s most well-known gaming celebrities, as Gujarat Wolves’ owner. The extended eight-team competition will take place at the Jairaj Sports & Convention Centre in Pune from August 1 to August 9.
Star Sports and JioHotstar will air GEPL Season 3, powered by Real Cricket, the globe’s most downloaded mobile cricket simulation game with over 400 million lifetime downloads, beginning August 1. This season’s prize pool is INR 3.1 crore, fuelling enthusiasm for another thrilling season.
Sonu Nigam and Scout join a list of marquee franchise owners returning from Season 2, including Peyush Bansal of Delhi Sharks, Nikhil Kamath, Ankit Nagori, and Prashanth Prakash of Bengaluru Badgers, Sara Tendulkar of Mumbai Grizzlies, Suniel Shetty of Pune Stallions, Gopal Srinivasan, Madhusudanan R, and Arjun Santhanakrishnan of Chennai Falcons, and Amit Mehta of Hyderabad Rhinos.
Rajan Navani, Chairman, JetSynthesys, said, “Every season, GEPL has widened the circle of people who believe in what we are building, and Season 3 takes that to the next level. We are delighted to welcome Sonu Nigam, one of India’s legendary cultural icons, and Scout, a pioneer who has helped shape the country’s esports landscape, as franchise owners for Season 3. Their association reflects how music & esports is evolving into mainstream entertainment and attracting leaders who have built deeply engaged communities of their own. As GEPL continues to grow, our ambition is to build one of India’s most distinctive Sports IPs – one that not only creates opportunities for Indian athletes but also establishes a homegrown league with global relevance.”
The addition of Sonu Nigam, one of India’s most popular entertainers, represents GEPL’s first ownership position in mainstream music and entertainment, broadening the league’s reach far beyond its current roster of business executives, investors, and Bollywood stars.
Sonu Nigam said, “Music and sports have always found ways to bring people together, and GEPL feels like a natural extension of that. I am excited to own the Kolkata Hawks and be part of a platform that is redefining how young India engages with cricket. My aim is to build a team that gives emerging talent, a stage to be seen and heard.”
Scout (Tanmay Singh) was born in Odisha and reared in Gujarat. He is one of the most prominent personalities in India’s gaming business. His ownership of the Gujarat Hawks gives the league a domestic connection and direct access to its youngest, most digitally native supporters.
“My association with GEPL is a chance to give back to the community which has backed me from the start, and to build a team that reflects the discipline and hunger I have always believed the Indian esports scene has in abundance. My focus will be on nurturing grassroots talent, giving aspiring players the platform and belief they need to see esports as a genuine career, not just a passion project,” added Tanmay Singh.
Jogesh Lulla, Senior Vice President – JetSynthesys Sports, said, “The calibre of ownership joining GEPL Season 3 is a clear signal of how far the league’s footprint has traveled. Sonu Nigam extends our reach into mainstream entertainment audiences while Scout brings deep credibility within India’s gaming community. Additions like these strengthen GEPL’s foundation as a serious, sustainable pillar of India’s growing esports ecosystem.”
After generating over 174 million impressions and 910,000 player interests in Season 2, GEPL starts its third season with unmatched momentum. The inclusion of Sonu Nigam and Scout enhances a renowned ownership group as the league works to create an internationally significant e-cricket IP and a career-defining platform for India’s esports players.
