Sanjiv Goenka–Manchester Originals Deal: RPSG Group Acquires 70% Stake, Rebranded as Manchester Super Giants

The RPSG Group, led by industrialist Sanjiv Goenka, has officially acquired a majority stake in the Manchester Originals, a team in England's The Hundred cricket tournament. With this acquisition, the team will be rebranded as Manchester Super Giants, aligning with the group's existing "Super Giants" branding used in other leagues.

Sanjiv Goenka-Manchester Originals Deal

The deal was formally signed on July 24, 2025, a date deliberately chosen by the RPSG Group due to its spiritual significance. The day coincided with Hariyali Amavasya, a holy day in the Hindu calendar associated with Lord Shiva. According to The Observer, the group's decision to sign on this date reflects a deeper cultural and spiritual alignment in their business decisions, particularly for landmark acquisitions such as this.

Reacting to the deal, Shashwat Goenka, vice president of the RPSG Group, shared the group's ambitious vision for the new team. "We are not football, we are cricket," he said. "We want the Manchester franchise in The Hundred to become the third biggest sports team in Manchester, and challenge those two sports teams in Manchester," referring to the iconic football clubs Manchester United and Manchester City.

RPSG's Stake in Manchester Originals

The acquisition was finalised earlier in the week, with contracts officially signed on Thursday morning. RPSG now holds a 70 percent stake in the Manchester Originals, having placed the highest bid for the team during the franchise bidding process in February 2025. Reports suggest that the RPSG Group values the team at over £100 million, making it one of the most valuable franchises in The Hundred tournament.

Meanwhile, Lancashire Cricket, the organisation managing Manchester Originals, expressed satisfaction with the partnership. In a statement, the club said, "We have been very focused on securing a great partner - ideally from the IPL - and RPSG has been our preferred bidder for some time. We are delighted by the outcome and look forward to working together to create an exciting future. Together, we have a shared ambition to create a very special cricket team for the people of Manchester and the wider North West region."

Lucknow Super Giants and Durban Super Giants Owner

The RPSG Group, which already owns Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL and Durban Super Giants in South Africa's SA20 league, is now expanding its footprint into English cricket. The rebranding of Manchester Originals to Manchester Super Giants from the 2026 season marks the third cricket franchise under the "Super Giants" brand. This move further consolidates the Goenka-led group's presence in global T20 franchise cricket, while also reflecting a consistent brand identity.

Notable Cricket-Football Teams Deals

This acquisition is part of a broader trend where IPL franchise owners and global investors are entering the UK's The Hundred tournament through franchise deals. According to reports, five out of the seven teams in The Hundred have either completed or are in the final stages of similar transactions. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is expected to generate approximately Rs 6,073 crore through these franchise stake sales.

Among the notable deals, the GMR Group, co-owner of IPL franchise Delhi Capitals, has reportedly acquired full ownership of Southern Brave for around Rs 1,144 crore. In another significant deal, Knighthead Capital has acquired a 49 percent stake in Birmingham Phoenix for approximately Rs 467 crore. Negotiations are still ongoing for other franchises, including London Spirit, Northern Superchargers, and Welsh Fire.

In parallel, a high-profile bidding contest is underway between the Ambani family, owners of Mumbai Indians, and Todd Boehly, owner of Chelsea Football Club, over the Oval Invincibles and Trent Rockets franchises. However, these deals are unlikely to be finalized before the start of The Hundred 2025 season, which begins on August 5.

RPSG Owned Mohun Bagan Super Giant

Beyond cricket, RPSG also owns Mohun Bagan Super Giant, a prestigious football club based in Kolkata. This acquisition of a franchise in The Hundred reflects the group's broader strategy of investing in top-tier sports teams across formats and regions.

With the Manchester Super Giants set to make their debut under the new identity in 2026, RPSG's entry into the UK cricket market represents a major step forward in the globalisation of cricket franchise ownership.