Rajasthan Royals Owner – Manoj Badale, RedBird Capital Net worth
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) have always been the mavericks of the IPL. From winning the inaugural title in 2008 as underdogs to their “Moneyball” approach in player auctions, they do things differently. The Rajasthan Royals Owner group is led by Manoj Badale, a British Indian businessman, along with high profile investors like RedBird Capital and Lachlan Murdoch.
However, the end of 2025 brought seismic shifts to the franchise. After a disappointing 9th place finish in IPL 2025, the ownership group authorised one of the biggest trades in league history sending long time captain Sanju Samson to the Chennai Super Kings in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.
This blog covers everything you need to know about the ownership structure, their unique business model, and the massive restructuring ahead of the 2026 season.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) Ownership:
| Feature | Details |
| Legal Owner | Royal Multisport Private Limited |
| Primary Owner | Manoj Badale (Emerging Media) |
| Key Investors | RedBird Capital Partners, Lachlan Murdoch |
| Home Ground | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur |
| IPL Titles | 1 (2008) |
| Captain (2026) | To Be Announced (Post Samson Era) |
| Brand Value (2025) | $53 Million |
Who is the Owner of Rajasthan Royals?
The ownership of the Rajasthan Royals is held by a consortium known as the Royals Sports Group.
Unlike teams owned by a single family (like the Mumbai Indians) or a corporation (like the Royal Challengers Bengaluru), RR functions like a private equity asset. The ownership is divided among strategic investors who bring different expertise to the table.
Ownership Breakdown (Estimates 2025):
| Shareholder | Entity | Approx. Stake |
| Manoj Badale (Majority) | Emerging Media (EM Sporting Holdings) | ~65% |
| Gerry Cardinale | RedBird Capital Partners | ~15% |
| Lachlan Murdoch | Illyria Pty Ltd | ~13% |
| Others | Minor Investors | Balance |
Manoj Badale is the face of the ownership and the primary decision maker. In 2021, he consolidated his control by buying out smaller investors, increasing his stake to 65 %.
What is the Background Of the RR owner?
Manoj Badale is not your typical team owner. He is a venture capitalist and the co founder of Blenheim Chalcot, one of the leading venture builders in the UK.
Born in India and raised in England, Badale has a degree in economics from Cambridge University. His business philosophy is built on “building” rather than just “buying.” He applies this to cricket by focusing on youth academies and data analytics rather than splashing cash on established superstars.
He was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2018 for his services to the economy and charity. His calm and analytical approach is a stark contrast to the flamboyance often associated with IPL owners.
Which Investment Group is Behind RR?
The parent company of the franchise is Emerging Media, an investment vehicle controlled by Manoj Badale.
In 2008, Emerging Media led the bid to buy the Jaipur franchise for just $67 million. At the time, it was the cheapest franchise in the league. While other owners mocked the low valuation, Badale saw it as a business opportunity.
Today, that $67 million asset is worth hundreds of millions. Emerging Media runs the Royals not just as a sports team but as a global entertainment business, monetising digital content and merchandise more aggressively than many larger teams.
Who are the Global Investors And Partners In Rajasthan Royals?
The Rajasthan Royals Owner group includes some of the heaviest hitters in the global media and sports industry.
Lachlan Murdoch
Lachlan Murdoch is the CEO of Fox Corporation and the son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch. His involvement gives RR a direct line to global media trends and broadcasting insights.
RedBird Capital Partners
In 2021, RedBird Capital acquired a 15 % stake in the Royals. This was a game changer. RedBird is a US based private investment firm that also owns stakes in:
- AC Milan (Italian Football Giants)
- Liverpool FC (via Fenway Sports Group)
- Alpine F1 Team
This partnership allows RR to share best practices with some of the biggest sports teams in the world, specifically in areas like player fitness tracking and injury management.
What is the Net Worth Of RR Owner Manoj Badale?
While Manoj Badale is wealthy, his net worth is modest compared to the Ambanis or Adanis. However, the combined wealth of the ownership group is immense.
Financial Overview (Late 2025 Estimates):
| Key Person | Estimated Net Worth | Source of Wealth |
| Manoj Badale | ~$160 Million | Venture Capital (Blenheim Chalcot) |
| Lachlan Murdoch | ~$3.3 Billion | Media (Fox Corp, News Corp) |
| RedBird Capital | $10 Billion+ AUM | Private Equity Assets |
| RR Brand Value | $53 Million | Franchise Valuation |
Note: The brand value of RR saw a significant dip of nearly 35 % in 2025 due to their 9th place finish and the turbulent exit of Rahul Dravid as coach.
What is the Role Of Lachlan Murdoch And RedBird Capital in RR?
The minority owners are not silent partners.
RedBird Capital plays a crucial role in the commercialisation of the franchise. They help the Royals secure global sponsorships and expand their digital footprint in the US and UK markets.
Lachlan Murdoch brings a long term vision. His presence ensures that the Royals are viewed as a media asset. Under his influence, the Royals have produced high quality documentaries and behind the scenes content that rivals Netflix productions.
How does Moneyball Strategy define the Rajasthan Royals?
The Royals are famous for their “Moneyball” strategy.
Instead of buying the most expensive player, they buy the “most valuable” player based on data.
- In 2008, they won with a team of unknowns led by a retired Shane Warne.
- They scouted and developed players like Ravindra Jadeja, Sanju Samson, and Yashasvi Jaiswal long before they became international stars.
- The strategy backfired in 2025. The data driven approach failed to account for on field pressure, leading to a 9th place finish. This failure prompted the massive squad overhaul for 2026.
What is RR’s Plan for the Global Cricket Business?
Manoj Badale wants the “Royals” brand to be the first truly global cricket franchise.
The Royals Global Network
| Team Name | League | Location | Key Highlights |
| Rajasthan Royals | IPL | India | IPL Champions (2008) |
| Barbados Royals | CPL | West Indies | Two time champions |
| Paarl Royals | SA20 | South Africa | Reached the playoffs consistently |
By owning teams in different time zones, the Rajasthan Royals Owner ensures that the brand generates revenue all year round, reducing dependency on the two month IPL window.
Who is the Current Captain Of the Rajasthan Royals?
The 2026 cycle begins with a shock. Sanju Samson, the captain and face of the franchise for years, was traded to the Chennai Super Kings in late 2025.
The New Leadership Core (IPL 2026):
- Captain: To Be Announced (Likely a toss up between the newly acquired Ravindra Jadeja or a new auction buy).
- Head Coach: Kumar Sangakkara (Returned to replace Rahul Dravid).
Key Squad Members (Post Retention 2026):
| Role | Player Name | Status |
| Opener | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Retained |
| All Rounder | Ravindra Jadeja | Traded IN (from CSK) |
| All Rounder | Sam Curran | Traded IN (from CSK) |
| Finisher | Riyan Parag | Retained |
| Wicketkeeper | Dhruv Jurel | Retained |
| Pacer | Sandeep Sharma | Retained |
The return of Ravindra Jadeja to the Royals (where he started his IPL career in 2008) is a poetic homecoming orchestrated by the management.
What is the Brand Value Of RR?
According to Brand Finance (December 2025), the brand value of Rajasthan Royals took a hit.
- Current Value: $53 Million (Down ~35%).
- League Rank: 10th (Bottom of the table).
Why the drop?
- Performance: Finishing 9th in 2025 alienated many casual fans.
- Instability: The coaching shuffle (Dravid leaving) and captaincy trade rumors created negative sentiment.
- Market Correction: The overall IPL ecosystem saw a valuation correction in 2025.
Despite this, the franchise remains profitable due to their low cost structure and smart spending.
Why Rajasthan Royals Focuses On Young Talent?
The Royals Academy is the heart of the franchise.
They have a dedicated High Performance Centre in Nagpur and another facility in Talegaon.
The owners believe in “ROI on Talent.” Buying a young Yashasvi Jaiswal for ₹2.4 Crores and watching him become a ₹18 Crore superstar is central to their business model. This allows them to allocate funds to other areas of the business, unlike teams that spend 80 % of their purse on 3 players.
What are the Expansion Plans For The Royals Franchise?
The Rajasthan Royals Owner is looking West.
With cricket growing in the USA (thanks to Major League Cricket and the 2024 World Cup), the Royals are eyeing an entry into the American market, potentially through a stake in a Major League Cricket (MLC) team.
Locally, they are working with the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) to build a new stadium in Jaipur, as the current Sawai Mansingh Stadium has limited capacity and outdated facilities.
Conclusion:
The Rajasthan Royals are at a crossroads. The ownership group, led by Manoj Badale and RedBird Capital, has proven they can build a profitable business. However, the 2025 season showed that profit does not always equal trophies. With the bold decision to trade Sanju Samson and bring back Ravindra Jadeja, the owners have signalled that they are ready to move away from pure “Moneyball” to a “Win Now” mentality for 2026.
FAQs:
The team is majority owned by Manoj Badale through his company Emerging Media. Other key owners include RedBird Capital Partners (15%) and Lachlan Murdoch.
No. In a massive trade deal in late 2025, Sanju Samson was traded to the Chennai Super Kings. In return, RR received Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. A new captain is yet to be officially named.
Yes. Rahul Dravid served as the head coach for the 2025 season but left after the team finished 9th. Kumar Sangakkara has returned as the Head Coach for the 2026 season.
Manoj Badale has an estimated net worth of approximately $160 million. While not as wealthy as other IPL owners, his investment group manages assets worth billions.
RR’s brand value dropped to $53 million (ranked 10th) due to their poor on field performance (finishing 9th) and instability in leadership.
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