Three of India's most prominent Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises have made significant investments in the upcoming Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States. Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and Chennai Super Kings have all joined the league as part of their global expansion plans.
Reliance Industries, the parent company of the Mumbai Indians, has purchased sole ownership of a new MLC franchise based in New York. This is the third international investment made by the Indians after already owning teams in South Africa and the UAE's International League T20. The company has also recently acquired a franchise in the Women's Premier League.
Delhi Capitals have partnered with Seattle Orcas, with co-owner GMR Group purchasing a stake in the US-based team. The partnership also includes Satya Nadella, the chairman and CEO of Microsoft, and Soma Somasegar, the managing director of Madrona Ventures. The Capitals already own teams in South Africa, the UAE, and the Women's Premier League.
Meanwhile, the Chennai Super Kings have invested in a Texas-based MLC franchise, partnering with a local investor to purchase the team. The Super Kings also own a team in South Africa.
The Kolkata Knight Riders, another IPL franchise, have been long-time supporters of Major League Cricket. The Knight Riders Group was one of the investors that contributed to the $30 million investment in building a 10,000-seater cricket stadium in Los Angeles, which will host the MLC team partnered with the Knight Riders.
The investments by these IPL franchises are part of a larger plan to expand cricket globally and bring the sport to new audiences. With cricket gaining popularity in the United States, the MLC presents a unique opportunity for these teams to establish themselves as global brands and tap into new markets.