Kal Somani, who was already a shareholder in Rajasthan Royals, has now taken full control over the team. The Times group was also in the race but couldn’t compete with Kal Somani. He bought the Rajasthan Royals franchise for approximately USD 1.6 billion (over ₹15,000 crore).
Somani will lead a group of investors that also includes Walmart. Altogether, they have bought 100% ownership of the Rajasthan Royals. As per reports, he is expected to take charge after the 2026 season by replacing Manoj Badale, who is currently in charge through emerging media.
Somani has the backing of American businessman Rob Walton, who comes from the Walmart family and the Hamp family that holds the majority stake in the National Football League team Detroit Lions. As per NewsX, Sheila Ford Hamp is part of the Ford family that holds a significant share in Ford Motor Company.
He is a co-owner of Motor City Golf Club and has investments in ventures such as TMRV Sports and the TGL Golf League.
At the time of the deal, it was the most expensive deal in the history of IPL, but later it was overtaken by the sale of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Who is Kal Somani?
Kal Somani is a Scottsdale, Arizona-based serial entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience. As per reports, he now has full control of the franchise. Moreover, he is the founder of IntraEdge, AI governance firm Truyo.AI, and ed tech services provider Academian.
In addition, as per reports, Somani studied electronics and telecommunications in local universities before moving to the United States in 1998.
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Rajasthan Royals Deal Boosts Shane Warne’s Wealth Significantly Ahead of IPL 2026
Shane Warne joined the Rajasthan Royals for the first season of IPL in 2008. As per Livemint, he was given full control as captain, mentor, and coach. In return, he offered a unique deal. He asked for $657,000 ( approx. ₹6 crore at the present rate) as a salary and bagged a 0.75% ownership stake for every year he played.
Shane Warne led the team to the title victory in the very first season. He played for almost four years with the franchise, and his stake grew to 3%. It simply means that Shane Warne now owns $48.9 million ( ₹460 crore) after the Rajasthan Royals deal.
In 2019, the franchise was valued at around $400 million ( ₹3,756 crore at the present rate). So, Shane Warne had about $12 million from the share.
At that time, in an interview, he said: “3% of $400 million is all right.” But today, he owns $48.9 million ( ₹460 crore) after the Rajasthan Royals deal. This gain is measured with his reported net worth, which is $20.7 million, which translates to a rise of around 91%.
Also Read: Rajasthan Royals Unveil New Jersey for IPL 2026, Ravindra Jadeja Shares Excitement
Ownership Impact on Rajasthan Royals
A change in ownership can strengthen the Rajasthan Royals by offering fresh investment, enhanced long-term planning, and better management. It may help them attract top players, improve training facilities, and foster overall performance.
In addition, stronger financial backing can raise brand value and enhance the franchise’s chances of achieving consistent success in the IPL.