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Cape Town - At The Home Of Cricket – Lord’s, Royals2020 were delighted to announce the pending creation of the world’s first global sporting franchise. Major cricket clubs from around the world are planning to create the World’s leading Twenty20 global cricket franchise.

Who is involved?

The founding teams will represent the major cricket playing countries of the world. India is represented by the Rajasthan Royals – winners of the inaugural Indian Premier League in 2008-from England, the Hampshire Hawks become the Hampshire Royals. In the West Indies and in South Africa negotiations are being finalized for Trinidad and Tobago, and Cape Cobras to become Royals. In Australia discussions are in the final stages of formalizing the involvement of their leading domestic team to complete the founder members.

What is Royals2020?

Royals2020 will be a dynamic partnership of leading cricket clubs around the world, with the aim of creating the ‘World’s First Global Sporting Franchise’.

The Royals2020 mission is to grow our fan base; grow the commercial platform for all; provide high class entertainment for the young and families in great grounds; provide opportunities for players to develop their talents; and to entertain fans around the world through great events.

The Royals strategy is to have a competitive team in each of the main cricketing markets around the world, and our partner selection has been based on: records and commitment to Twenty20 Cricket; commitment to player development; potential for a unique in-stadia experience; and a cultural and commercial fit with the Royals ethos.

The Royals experience will be built around dynamic cricket and excellence in in-stadia experience for fans across the world.

What are the benefits of Royals2020?

For Fans of the Royals, they have a team to support all year round, with teams in each of the major leagues in the world. Cricket fans are amongst the most geographically mobile in any sport.

For the Member Clubs we can provide a commercial window on new markets, a commercial fee for the naming rights, and participation in the annual ‘Royals Festivals’. There is also potential for knowledge sharing, talent sharing and participation in a central revenue pool.

For players, there will be opportunities to increase exposure and awareness within the IPL, and the Indian market more broadly. For younger players, there will clearly be opportunities to play in overseas markets and further develop their games.

For sponsors and partners we create a truly global, but local marketing platform and membership of the world’s first global sporting franchise.

Manoj Badale, Chairman, and co-founder of the Rajasthan Royals and Royals2020 said “This is a major innovation in World Sport, and it represents a great opportunity for the clubs, but also an opportunity for fans and sponsors to be part of something totally unique and exciting. The response that we have had from fans overseas over the past two seasons has convinced us to expand our ambition.”

Sean Morris, Chief Executive Officer of Rajasthan Royals said “The opportunity to be part of a global brand is a unique one across all sports, and will enable us to take advantage of the changing landscape in cricket, not least in the areas of marketing and talent development.”

Shane Warne, Captain and Head Coach of Rajasthan Royals said “I am delighted to be part of this new innovation, and I am excited by what we can achieve, given what we have already achieved. Yet again, the Royals are leading the way. It is bonus that clubs with which I have such deep affection are so involved.”

Rod Bransgrove, Chairman of Hampshire said “We consider the Rose Bowl to be the home of Twenty20 cricket in the UK, and this is a fabulous opportunity to extend the international reach of the game for us.”

Mohamed Ebrahim, and Andre Odendaal, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Cape Cobras, the South Africa Pro20 champions and inaugural Champion League semi-finalists said “We have been talking about and developing this partnership since the IPL last year. We look forward to finalising formal agreements in the next weeks, as this new ‘family’ will be opening up a whole new path in cricket.’ 

“The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board is fully supportive of the Royals 2020 initiative as it offers many exciting opportunities for the teams, players and fans. Trinidad and Tobago are one of the world’s leading domestic Twenty 20 teams as demonstrated in the recent Champions League and we will continue to explore how best to build on that success together.” noted Dr. Allen Sammy.