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Lancashire Cricket Club has successfully partnered with the RPSG Group, owned by Sanjiv Goenka, after the Indian business conglomerate submitted the highest bid for a stake in Manchester Originals. This move follows RPSG’s recent unsuccessful attempt to acquire a stake in London Spirit, which was eventually won by a Silicon Valley tech consortium.
The deal values the Manchester-based Hundred franchise at approximately £116 million, placing it above the £100 million threshold. Lancashire and RPSG Group will now enter an eight-week exclusivity period to finalize the terms of the agreement. Lancashire has previously expressed openness to selling part of their 51% stake in the Originals if it helps reduce their financial liabilities.
In a statement, Lancashire Cricket confirmed their preferred partnership with RPSG. The club emphasized their strategic goal of collaborating with an IPL-backed franchise, describing RPSG as their top choice. The club expressed excitement about working together to build a strong cricketing presence in Manchester and the wider North West region.
RPSG Group, which owns the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL and the Durban franchise in SA20, has been expanding its global cricket footprint. Goenka previously owned Rising Pune Supergiant during the 2016 and 2017 IPL seasons when Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were suspended.
Lancashire has actively increased its presence in India through pre-season tours and the recruitment of Indian players like Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, and Venkatesh Iyer. The club is set to return to India next month as part of its pre-season preparations.
The deal makes RPSG Group the second IPL franchise owner to invest in The Hundred after Reliance Industries acquired a stake in Oval Invincibles. Other IPL groups, including Sun Group (owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad) and GMR Group (co-owners of Delhi Capitals), are also exploring investments in Northern Superchargers, Trent Rockets, and Southern Brave.
Lancashire will hold a members’ forum next Wednesday to discuss details of the partnership, expected financial benefits, and plans for the funds generated. The deal is subject to final due diligence and legal formalities, with further announcements anticipated in the coming weeks.
