The Sun Group, owners of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) IPL franchise and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in SA20, has secured a 100% stake in the Northern Superchargers, a team in The Hundred, for a reported £100 million.
This acquisition marks a significant move in the expansion of IPL team ownership into overseas cricket leagues.
The deal makes the Sun Group the first entity to fully own a franchise in The Hundred.
Key Details of the Acquisition:
- Buyer: Sun Group, owned by Kalanithi Maran, an Indian media baron.
- Seller: Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The Sun Group is buying both the ECB’s 49% stake and Yorkshire’s 51% share.
- Price: £100 million.
- Stake: 100% ownership of the Northern Superchargers.
- Yorkshire will retain 80% of the revenue from the sale of their 51% stake, injecting approximately £40 million into the club.
Strategic Implications:
- Third IPL Franchise Owner in The Hundred: The Sun Group joins the RPSG Group (owners of Lucknow Super Giants) and Reliance Industries Limited (owners of Mumbai Indians) in acquiring stakes in teams in The Hundred.
- Growing IPL Influence: This deal underscores the increasing influence of IPL franchises in global cricket, with owners seeking to expand their portfolios and create synergies across different leagues.
- Financial Boost for Yorkshire: The acquisition provides a much-needed financial boost for Yorkshire County Cricket Club, which has been facing financial challenges. Yorkshire’s chairman predicted the club would soon be “fighting for its survival” due to debts.
Statements:
Sanjay Patel, Yorkshire’s chief executive: “We are delighted to be entering into an exclusivity period with the Sun Group, and will be continuing our conversations with them in the coming weeks with a view to setting the Northern Superchargers up for long-term and sustained success”.
He added that it’s clear the Sun Group are aligned to the values and future direction of the club and will play a huge part in ensuring they can go on to achieve great success in the coming years.
