In a significant cross-continental development, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), owned by the RPSG Group led by Sanjiv Goenka, have officially acquired a 70% stake in the Manchester Originals franchise of The Hundred. The agreement was formalised on Thursday morning, although the deal had been in the pipeline for some time.
Interestingly, LSG requested that the contract be signed on July 24, aligning with Haryali Amavasya—a two-day religious festival considered auspicious in many parts of India. This acquisition further extends RPSG’s sporting portfolio, which already includes the IPL’s Lucknow Super Giants, the SA20’s Durban Super Giants, and Indian football’s Mohun Bagan.
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With the new ownership, Manchester Originals will undergo a rebranding and will be known as the Manchester Super Giants from the 2025 season onwards. RPSG’s bid in February was reportedly the highest, valuing the Manchester franchise at over £100 million. The move marks another attempt by Indian cricketing conglomerates to expand their global footprint, especially in England’s franchise landscape.
LSG have reportedly acquired 70 per cent stake in Manchester Originalshttps://t.co/T0BuBBcd6x
— News18 CricketNext (@cricketnext) July 25, 2025
Shashwat Goenka, RPSG Group’s vice-president, outlined an ambitious vision for the Manchester team. “We are not football, we are cricket,” he stated, expressing hope that the Manchester Super Giants could soon rival the city’s iconic football clubs—Manchester United and Manchester City—as the third biggest sports team in the region.
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Lancashire Cricket, which partners with the franchise, echoed the excitement, stating they had long sought an IPL-aligned partner and RPSG had remained their top choice. “We’re delighted by the outcome,” a club statement read. “Together, we aim to build a special cricket team for the people of Manchester and the wider North West.”
With this strategic move, RPSG not only strengthens its cricket empire but also aims to tap into Manchester’s rich sporting culture with bold aspirations.
