Rajasthan Royals (RR) of the Indian Premier League (IPL) unveiled that the National Basketball Association (NBA) star Chris Paul and National Football League (NFL) players Larry Fitzgerald and Kelvin Beachum have invested in the team.
The Royals, who won the first-ever IPL season in 2008 under the captaincy of the late Australian legend, Shane Warne will have the three US athletes as minority investors. The franchise has kept the details of the three American sportsperson’s investments under wraps.
This year, the world’s most valuable cricket competition has grown to ten teams, with new teams Gujarat Titans (GT) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) paying a combined $1.7 billion to enter.
Since its inception, IPL has been the most popular and lucrative domestic cricket league in the world.
After Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), RR became the third franchise to enter the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The Royals acquired a majority stake in Barbados Tridents, which later got renamed Barbados Royals.
“I am excited to have become one of the first US athletes to see the value and scope for growth in the IPL. With a variety of components, including stadium experience and fan engagement still left to fulfil their course, I see myself contributing world-class experience through this strategic investment,” stated, NBA star Chris Paul.
RR’s primary owner Manoj Badale said, “We are extremely pleased to have Chris, Larry, and Kelvin join us as investors who have seen the vision of the Royals as a truly global brand.”