Shane Warne’s Family Set to Get Richer After Rajasthan Royals’ $1.63 Billion Sale

Rajasthan Royals' valuation has skyrocketed from $67 million in 2008, to a massive $1.63 billion, reflecting the growth of Shane Warne's former side.

Shane Warne’s Family Set to Get Richer After Rajasthan Royals’ $1.63 Billion Sale

Shane Warne's family will recieve close to $48.9 million for the late cricketer's stake in IPL side Rajasthan Royals. (via NDTV Sports)

In Short
  • Rajasthan Royals have been sold for $1.63 billion to US entrepreneur Kal Somani.
  • Shane Warne's family will receive approximately $48.9 million from the sale due to his equity stake.
  • The new ownership group will officially take charge at the end of IPL 2026.

Just days before the start of the 19th IPL season, the Rajasthan Royals have entered a new chapter following a $1.63 billion acquisition by US entrepreneur Kal Somani. Interestingly, the late Australian legend and former RR skipper, Shane Warne, will benefit from this sale. 

The Rajasthan Royals was put up for sale by its outgoing owners, Manoj Badale‘s Emerging Media, Redbird Capital Partners, and Lachlan Murdoch this year. The primary motivation was reportedly for the owners to capitalize on the high valuation.

Once the franchise invited interested parties like Kal Somani, Aditya Birla Group, ArcelorMittal, Columbia Pacific Capital Partners, and US-based David Blitzer entered the race.

Making history, the Kal Somani-led consortium emerged on top with their record-breaking $1.63 billion (approx. INR 15,290 crores) bid. While Somani remains the face of the deal, the ownership group is backed by influential American figures, including Walmart’s Rob Walton and the NFL side Detroit Lions’ owner Sheila Ford Hamp. The new owners will formally take charge at the end of IPL 2026, with the ‘behind-the-scenes’ transition to begin soon.

Rajasthan Royals’ first captain, Australian icon Shane Warne‘s name has emerged following the recent acquisition. The legendary spinner, who passed away in 2022, captained RR between 2008 and 2011, even leading them to the title during the inaugural season. Following the billion-dollar acquisition, his family will now receive around $48.9 million (INR 450 crores) for his stake in the franchise. 

It is a result of a ‘masterstroke’ equity deal that he had signed with RR in 2008, after being persuaded to come out of retirement to play in the IPL. While drawing a salary of $657,000, the agreement allowed Warne to secure a 0.75 percent ownership in the franchise for every season he played.

Warne, in a 2019 interview, expressed that he did so in order to run the team the way he desired, while also fulfilling the role of a coach. By playing for four seasons, his total ownership stake reached 3 percent.

The $48.9 million payment will be directed to Warne’s estate, which will benefit his three children: Brooke, Summer, and Jackson. The former RR captain died unexpectedly at the age of 52 on March 4, 2022, after experiencing a heart attack while vacationing in Ko Samui, Thailand.

Shane Warne’s unmatched IPL legacy: A champion with Rajasthan Royals

Often regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, Australian Shane Warne played for Rajasthan Royals, and captained the team to victory during the inaugural 2008 IPL season. The late spin-bowling maestro also served as the head coach of the team during the historic season.

Shane Warne IPL
Shane Warne captained Rajasthan Royals to the 2008 IPL title. (via Cricket 365)

The Rajasthan Royals were among the three teams that had not signed an icon player before the 2008 auction. Shane Warne was the first player they acquired, at his $450,000 base price. Despite his age, he defied expectations to lead a group of inexperienced youngsters to the 2008 IPL title, winning 11 out of the 14 league stage matches to finish on top of the standings, before defeating Chennai Super Kings in the final.

The late Australian legend stayed at RR until 2011, but could not emulate the success he enjoyed with the team in 2008. Warne picked up 57 wickets in 55 matches at an average of 25.39, while maintaining an economy rate of 7.27. Following his retirement, he later returned to the franchise in 2018, this time as a mentor. It has been a long time since RR won the IPL, having made a final only once in 2022. 

Apart from Shane Warne, the Rajasthan Royals had also made some smart buys during the 2008 auction. RR spent well on signing players like Graeme Smith, Shane Watson, Sohail Tanvir, Kamran Akmal, Yusuf Pathan, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammad Kaif and Munaf Patel. 

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