RPSG Group secures 49% stake in Hundred franchise Manchester Originals: Report

London, Feb 3 (PTI) – Sanjiv Goenka’s RPSG Group, the owners of Indian Premier League (IPL) team Lucknow Super Giants, has successfully partnered with Lancashire to co-own Manchester Originals in The Hundred.

According to ESPNcricinfo, RPSG Group emerged as the highest bidder, securing a 49% stake in the Manchester-based franchise for an estimated £116 million. The agreement follows RPSG’s unsuccessful bid for London Spirit last Friday.

Exclusive Negotiation Period Begins​

Lancashire and RPSG Group will now enter an eight-week exclusivity period to finalize the terms of the deal. Lancashire has previously indicated its willingness to reduce its 51% stake if the price enables them to pay down a significant portion of their bank debt.

Lancashire Sees a Promising Future​

Lancashire expressed enthusiasm over the partnership, emphasizing their strategy to align with an IPL-backed investor.

“We have been very focused on securing a great partner — ideally from the IPL — and RPSG has been our preferred bidder for some time,” the club stated. “We are delighted by the outcome and look forward to working together to create an exciting future. Together, we have a shared ambition to build a very special cricket team for Manchester and the wider North West region.”

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RPSG’s Expanding Cricket Portfolio​

RPSG Group, led by chairman and founder Sanjiv Goenka, has steadily expanded its cricket investments. The conglomerate acquired Lucknow Super Giants in 2021 for ₹7,090 crore and later secured ownership of the Durban franchise in South Africa’s SA20 league in 2022.

With this latest acquisition, RPSG Group continues its global expansion in franchise cricket, positioning itself as a major stakeholder in the evolving landscape of the sport.