These IPL teams are in the race for ownership of County club Yorkshire

• The Rajasthan Royals’ bid to acquire Yorkshire through borrowing was rejected, but negotiations continue.

• Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants have entered the race, with the former offering £50 million.

• The deal, expected to be finalized this year, also includes control of the Headingley Cricket Ground.

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IPL teams eyeing ownership of Yorkshire (Photo credit: X/@Yorkshirecb)

What’s the story

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have joined Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a three-way battle for the ownership of Yorkshire.

The county club has been struggling financially, prompting its chair Colin Greaves to seek private investors in 2024.

This move reignited interest from the 2008 IPL champions, who had previously attempted to acquire the club with a £25 million bid in 2023.

Here we present the details.

RR’s revised proposal and Yorkshire’s response

The Rajasthan Royals proposed a new deal to acquire Yorkshire through additional borrowing rather than direct investment.

This approach would not eliminate the club’s £15 million debt, as they would still owe the amount borrowed by Royals.

However, Yorkshire rejected this proposal, unwilling to substitute one debt for another.

Despite this setback, negotiations between the franchise and the club are ongoing.

SRH and LSG enter the bidding war

The Sun Group, owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in SA20, has also expressed interest in acquiring Yorkshire.

They have offered £50 million to the club, doubling what Royals initially proposed.

Additionally, the Goenka group which owns Lucknow Super Giants in IPL and Durban Super Giants in SA20 is reportedly interested but has not yet placed a bid as discussions are still underway.

Potential ownership extends beyond club

The corporate entity that ultimately secures Yorkshire’s ownership will also gain control of the Headingley Cricket Ground.

A deal is anticipated to be finalized within this year, as several Indian businessmen have expressed interest in acquiring county clubs and The Hundred franchises.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has invited them to own stakes in The Hundred, with discussions on this matter still ongoing.

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