Sunrisers Leeds owner Kavya Maran has outlined her ambitious vision for expanding the Sunrisers franchise after the Sun Group completed its acquisition of 100 per cent ownership of the former Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. The latest investment further strengthens the Sun Group’s growing presence in franchise cricket, adding to its successful portfolio that already includes Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in South Africa’s SA20.

Unlike several other investors in The Hundred, who acquired either a 49 or 51 per cent stake in their respective franchises, the Sun Group secured complete ownership of the Leeds-based team from Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Despite becoming the sole owners, Maran emphasised that the partnership with Yorkshire remains a key part of the club’s long-term plans.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Kavya Maran praised Yorkshire for its support throughout the transition and highlighted the strong working relationship between the two organisations.

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“We were clear about our plans from the beginning, even in discussions with the ECB. We have a very good relationship with Yorkshire County, and although we own 100 per cent of the franchise, we’ve continued working closely together. They’ve been a fantastic partner, and we look forward to building on that relationship,” she said.

With four franchises now operating under the Sun Group banner, Maran admitted that the organisation has no intention of slowing down its global expansion. She believes the successful rebranding of the Leeds franchise into Sunrisers Leeds is an encouraging first step toward establishing the Sunrisers identity in England.

The franchise owner was particularly pleased to see fans embracing the team’s signature orange colours after supporting the Northern Superchargers brand for the past five seasons. “I don’t think anything can stop us now. This is a great beginning. Seeing so much orange in the stands is exciting because it’s a completely new identity for the fans. They seem to have embraced the change, and that’s something we can continue building on,” Kavya Maran added.

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The Sunrisers brand has enjoyed considerable success across franchise cricket in recent years. Sunrisers Hyderabad lifted the IPL 2016 title and have also reached the tournament final in 2018 and 2024. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Eastern Cape have established themselves as the dominant force in the SA20, winning three of the first four editions of the competition.

With complete ownership of Sunrisers Leeds and a proven record of success across multiple leagues, the Sun Group appears well positioned to further strengthen its footprint in global franchise cricket in the years ahead.