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Sanjiv Goenka Acquires Manchester Originals for 107 Million GBP
Goenka Expands His Sports Empire with Manchester Originals
Sanjiv Goenka, the billionaire owner of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Durban Super Giants, has successfully secured ownership of the Manchester Originals franchise in The Hundred tournament. The acquisition, valued at 107 million GBP, marks a significant expansion of his sports portfolio. Manchester Originals, a Lancashire-based team, was previously led by Phil Salt in the absence of Jos Buttler during the last season.
Competitive Bidding and E-Auction
The bidding process was highly competitive, with several high-profile contenders vying for the team. Although the exact names of the competing IPL teams were not disclosed, it has been confirmed that Goenka outbid at least one IPL franchise and a tech consortium to secure the deal.
Initial reports suggested that Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders were interested but later backed out. It remains unclear whether any of them re-entered the bidding process.
Goenka’s purchase gives him a 49% stake in Manchester Originals, further reinforcing the growing influence of IPL owners in The Hundred.
Valuation and Previous Franchise Sales
The valuation of Manchester Originals, at 107 million GBP, is nearly half of the 195 million GBP sale of London Spirit to a US-based tech billionaire consortium. While Goenka initially pursued London Spirit, he eventually shifted his focus to Manchester Originals.
Out of the five teams sold so far – Oval Invincibles, Welsh Fire, London Spirit, Birmingham Phoenix, and Manchester Originals – two have been acquired by IPL franchise owners. Reliance Group (Ambanis) previously secured Oval Invincibles, and now Goenka has added Manchester Originals to his growing portfolio.
Remaining Franchises and Future Buyers
With the sale of five teams, three franchises remain – Trent Rockets, Northern Superchargers, and Southern Brave.
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SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) is rumored to be leading the race for one of these remaining teams.
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GMR Group, co-owners of Delhi Capitals, has already secured Hampshire County and is expected to retain Southern Brave.
This increasing involvement of IPL owners in The Hundred highlights the growing global impact of Indian cricket franchises.
Goenka’s Expanding Sports Investments
Goenka has long been a passionate sports investor. He made headlines in 2021 when he placed a record-breaking bid of INR 7090 crore (approximately 1 billion USD) to acquire the Lucknow Super Giants franchise in the IPL 2022 expansion.
His sports ventures also extend beyond cricket:
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He previously owned the Pune SuperGiants franchise (IPL 2016-2017).
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He owns a team in Indian Super League (ISL), showcasing his diversified sports investments.
Growing IPL Influence in Global Tournaments
With IPL franchise owners continuing to expand their footprint globally, the acquisition of Manchester Originals signals a new era for The Hundred. As IPL teams dominate international leagues such as SA20, ILT20, Major League Cricket (MLC), and now The Hundred, their presence is reshaping global cricket’s commercial landscape.
For more details, you can check out our Latest IPL 2025 News for all the updates on team owners and their investments. Additionally, you may visit Latest The Hundred News to stay informed with authoritative references on this exciting cricket format.
