Sourav Ganguly, once India’s cricket captain, looked back at how Rajasthan Royals turned into the most expensive team in IPL history – sold for 1.63 billion dollars, way above fifteen thousand crores rupees. That opening delivery he faced in 2008? It feels distant now, given how much the tournament has swelled in size since then. These days, the competition stands shoulder to shoulder with elite global leagues – the kind seen in football or basketball. What strikes him is how something running just a few months every year could grow so massive. Size doesn’t always match duration, clearly.
“It’s great news for the IPL. When it started in 2007, and as I’ve said before, I faced the first ball of the league in 2008 – RCB versus KKR. To see where the IPL has reached now is phenomenal,” Ganguly said, in response to a question by NDTV.
“It also shows how much the game has expanded. Some of the buyers are from the United States, and the interest in Indian cricket in that part of the world is fantastic,” he added.
Folks once saw the IPL as just another tournament; now it stands tall, much like basketball’s big league or England’s football spectacle. Growth didn’t come overnight – time reshaped how people view it. What started small now draws eyes worldwide, similar to those major global contests. Not every match made history, yet the shift in scale feels undeniable.
“I think it (IPL) is as big (as the NBA). The broadcast rights are as big as anywhere in the world. To put IPL in the same bracket – broadcast rights are at times bigger than an EPL game,” Ganguly said.
“The numbers involved are mind-boggling for a sports franchise that plays for just two-and-a-half to three months a year,” he added.
A deal came together on Tuesday when a group headed by American businessperson Kal Somani took control of Rajasthan Royals. Reports suggest the full ownership changed hands for USD 1.63 billion, equal to Rs 15,286 crore. Though details remain sparse, the shift marks a significant moment in the team’s journey. Money moved quickly once terms were settled behind closed doors.
Somani started IntraEdge, Academian, and Truyo.AI. Backing comes from Rob Walton – heir to the Walmart fortune – along with support from the Hamp family, major owners of the NFL’s Detroit Lions. Ties stretch further; Sheila Ford Hamp descends from the Ford lineage, linked to Ford Motor Company ownership.
Few hours after, news surfaced that Royal Challengers Bengaluru changed hands – valued at USD 1.78 billion, crossing Rs 16,000 crore. Though exact details stayed private, reports confirmed the deal wrapped up quietly.
