IPL Team Owners 2024: Comprehensive Listing

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has gained immense popularity, with its valuation soaring approximately 28% to an impressive $10.7 billion in 2023 from $8.4 billion in 2022. Since its inception in 2008, the IPL's overall brand value has surged by an impressive 433%, according to Brand Finance, a leading brand valuation consultancy.  The focus of the biggest cricket betting sites in the world have shifted based on this massive financial growth, with dedicated IPL Betting Sites spending millions of dollars on sponsorship and marketing each year.

The IPL teams themselves boast valuations in crores of rupees and are owned by prominent companies and some of the wealthiest celebrities in the country. IPL franchise owners boast net worth in thousands of crores. 

Before we delve into a listing of IPL team owners in 2024 and the brand value of each team, let us understand what IPL brand value is. 

What is IPL Brand Value?

The brand value of the IPL refers to the overall worth of the league as a brand. It takes into account various factors such as the league's popularity, viewer engagement, sponsorships, media partnerships, and the overall confidence that advertisers and investors have in the IPL as a cricket league.

A report from Brand Finance, a top brand valuation company, reveals that the total brand value of the IPL increased by 28% to reach USD 10.7 billion in 2023. This value has been assessed every year by Brand Finance since 2009. Notably, the total brand value of the IPL has risen by 433% since its launch in 2008. According to the same report, Mumbai Indians is the most valuable IPL franchise.

Check out a list of the IPL team owners, and the brand value of each team below. 

Mumbai Indians

Five-time champions Mumbai Indians are owned by India's largest conglomerate, Reliance Industries, led by the visionary business magnate Mukesh Ambani. Among all IPL team owners, the Ambanis are the richest. Reliance acquired the franchise for $111.9 million in 2008.

Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani play pivotal roles in steering the Mumbai Indians, not just as team owners but as key figures involved in the team's strategic business operations. The mother-son duo is often seen in attendance at Mumbai Indians' matches. Under Ambani's ownership, the Mumbai Indians have not only become a cricketing powerhouse but also a brand synonymous with success and excellence. The team's ownership by Reliance Industries brings with it substantial financial backing, allowing the Mumbai Indians to acquire top-notch players and invest in cutting-edge training facilities.

In 2023, the Mumbai Indians maintained their position as the most valued franchise in the IPL, registering a 5% growth in brand value to reach $87 million.

Chennai Super Kings

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stand as one of the most successful franchises in the IPL. Owned by India Cements, a prominent business house led by former BCCI president N. Srinivasan, CSK has witnessed a consistent blend of cricketing prowess and business acumen.

Srinivasan assumed the roles of vice-chairman and managing director at India Cements in 1989, maintaining leadership to this day. In 2008, India Cements acquired CSK for $91 million. In January 2022, CSK became India's first unicorn sports enterprise.

The five-time champions, led by MS Dhoni, are in the second position on the list of most valuable IPL teams, boasting a brand value of $81 million.

Kolkata Knight Riders

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are owned by the dynamic duo of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, actress Juhi Chawla, and her spouse Jay Mehta. KKR was bought by Shah Rukh Khan’s film production company Red Chillies Entertainment in partnership with Chawla and her husband for $75.09 million in 2008.

KKR consistently finished at the wrong half of the points table in their first few seasons in the IPL, before winning the title in 2012 and 2014 under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir.

KKR have a brand value of $78.6 million.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Vijay Mallya, the former chairman of Kingfisher Airlines and United Spirits, acquired Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for $111.6 million, the second-highest bid in the IPL. However, due to Mallya's loan default in 2016, RCB is now exclusively owned by United Spirits. United Spirits Limited, previously known as United Breweries, is an Indian alcoholic beverage company and a subsidiary of Diageo, a prominent English multinational in the liquor industry, ranking as the world's second-largest producer of spirits.

Over the years, RCB has had iconic players like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, but the team has struggled to find the right balance and the luck to secure the IPL trophy. That, however, has not stopped fans from supporting the team. RCB have a brand value of $69.8 million.

Gujarat Titans

The Gujarat Titans, a recent addition to the IPL, represent the state of Gujarat. In their inaugural 2022 IPL season, they clinched their first title under the leadership of Hardik Pandya. At the auction held to secure the rights of the Titans and Lucknow Super Giants in 2021, CVC Capital Partners emerged victorious with a winning bid of $750 million.

CVC Capital Partners is a French private equity and investment firm founded in 1981. They manage funds for clients around the world. Gujarat Titans is the fifth most valuable IPL franchise at $65 million.

Delhi Capitals

Originally named Delhi Daredevils (DD), the Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise was acquired by the GMR Group for $84 million in 2008. In 2018, JSW Sports, a subsidiary of the JSW Group, purchased a 50% stake from the GMR Group for Rs 550 crore, leading to a change in the team's name to Delhi Capitals. Parth Jindal, the director of JSW Sports, assumed the role of chairman for Delhi Capitals. Currently, the ownership of DC is shared between the GMR Group and the JSW Group.

Parth Jindal, son of Sajjan Jindal, the chairman and managing director of the JSW Group, is often seen in the stands supporting the Capitals. Delhi, who have never won the IPL trophy, are valued at $64 million. 

Rajasthan Royals

Emerging Media secured the Rajasthan Royals (RR) franchise for $67 million in 2008. Later, businessman Raj Kundra and Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty assumed joint ownership of the franchise until 2015, when Kundra's lifetime ban, linked to a betting scandal, resulted in RR's two-year suspension. Presently, Manoj Badale's Emerging Media commands a majority 65% stake in the IPL team, complemented by minority ownership from distinguished figures such as Lachlan Murdoch and Redbird Capital. It is worth noting that former cricket luminary Shane Warne previously held a 3% ownership stake in RR.

The Royals won the inaugural edition of the IPL, but have not been able to repeat the success. They are valued at $62 million. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad is under the ownership of the SUN Group, an Indian media conglomerate headquartered in Chennai. The franchise was established in 2012 after the termination of the Hyderabad-based Deccan Chargers by the IPL. The Sun TV network had bid Rs $15.9m for a five-year deal in 2012 to acquire the franchise.

In 2018, Kavya Maran, the daughter of Kalanithi Maran, Chairman/Founder of the Sun Group, assumed the role of CEO for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Apart from her responsibilities with SRH, Kavya actively engages in the business operations of Sun TV Network. The 31-year-old holds a Commerce degree from Stella Maris College in Chennai and an MBA from Warwick Business School in the UK.

SRH, who won their first and only IPL title so far in 2016, are valued at $48 million. 

Lucknow Super Giants

At the auction for acquiring Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the franchise came under the ownership of the RPSG Group led by Sanjiv Goenka, who secured the team for over $940 million.

Presently leading the RPSG Group, Sanjiv Goenka established this multinational conglomerate in 2011. The RPSG Group spans diverse industries including power and energy, media and entertainment, FMCG, education and retail.

The LSG franchise is valued at $47 million. 

Punjab Kings

Originally known as the Kings XI Punjab, the franchise underwent a rebranding in 2021 to become the Punjab Kings. The team has seen a few ownership transitions since its inception. As of 2024, the franchise is jointly owned by a consortium that includes Preity Zinta, Ness Wadia, Mohit Burman, and Karan Paul. The group of these four paid $76 million to buy the franchise in 2008. 

Over the years, the team has witnessed ups and downs, with notable performances from individual players, but they have been unable to win the IPL title. As one of the least successful teams in the tournament, the value of Punjab Kings is $45 million.