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Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025 has emerged as one of the most electrifying Twenty20 cricket tournaments globally, featuring six franchises owned by some of the most prominent personalities from entertainment, business, and sports industries. From Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan to actress Preity Zinta, the ownership landscape of CPL showcases a fascinating blend of star power and business acumen.
West Indies gear up for a blockbuster start to Caribbean Premier League 2025
The thirteenth edition of the Caribbean Premier League is set to commence on August 14, 2025, and will conclude on September 21, 2025, spanning across six Caribbean nations. The tournament features 34 matches played across multiple venues including Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, Kensington Oval in Barbados, Providence Stadium in Guyana, Warner Park in Saint Kitts and Nevis, Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia, and Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago.
Saint Lucia Kings enter the 2025 season as defending champions, having secured their maiden CPL title in 2024 by defeating the Guyana Amazon Warriors. The tournament follows a double round-robin format where each team plays ten matches in the league stage, with the top four teams qualifying for the playoffs.
Here’s a look at the CPL team owners
The CPL’s ownership structure demonstrates the increasing globalization of cricket, with three of the six franchises owned by IPL team owners. This trend reflects the strategic vision of expanding cricket brands across different T20 leagues worldwide. Let’s ponder upon CPL franchises owners for 2024 :-
1. Trinbago Knight Riders
Shah Rukh Khan and Jay Mehta, along with Red Chillies Entertainment, own the most successful franchise in CPL history. In 2015, Shah Rukh acquired a 50% stake in the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel franchise for approximately $75.09 million, which was later rebranded as Trinbago Knight Riders.
Under SRK’s ownership, TKR has become the most successful team in Caribbean Premier League history with four CPL titles (2015, 2017, 2018, and 2020). The team’s 2020 season was particularly remarkable, completing an unbeaten run throughout the tournament. Mehta, co-owner and husband of actress Juhi Chawla, has been instrumental in expanding the Knight Riders brand globally as part of their cricket empire that includes franchises in India, UAE, and the United States.
2. Barbados Royals
Manoj Badale and Manish Patel lead the ownership of Barbados Royals, with Badale’s Royals Sports Group holding an 80% stake while Patel retains 20%. In 2021, Badale, who is the lead owner of IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, acquired the majority stake in what was then known as Barbados Tridents, rebranding it as Barbados Royals.
The franchise has achieved considerable success with two CPL championships in 2014 and 2019. Badale, a British Indian businessman and venture capital expert, saw the acquisition as a strategic step in expanding the Royals brand globally. The partnership benefits from the support of Red Bird Capital Partners, who hold a 15% stake in the Rajasthan Royals.
Also READ: Trinbago Knight Riders announces appointment of a new head coach for CPL 2025
3. Guyana Amazon Warriors
Dr. Ranjisinghi “Bobby” Ramroop owns the Guyana Amazon Warriors through his company New GPC Inc. Ramroop, a prominent Guyanese businessman in the pharmaceutical industry, has been the franchise owner since the inaugural CPL season in 2013. His company also briefly served as the title sponsor of the entire CPL tournament under the Limacol brand.
Despite being one of the most consistent teams in CPL history, reaching six finals, the Amazon Warriors broke their title drought in 2023 when they secured their first championship. The team has received significant support from major sponsors including ExxonMobil Guyana, which has been backing the franchise since 2017.
4. Antigua & Barbuda Falcons
Kris Persaud, a Guyanese businessman based in Florida, owned the Jamaica Tallawahs through his Worldwide Sports Management Group. Persaud acquired 100% ownership rights from Manish Patel in 2017. The franchise was highly successful, winning three CPL titles in 2013, 2016, and 2022.
However, due to lack of support from the Jamaican government and unsustainable operating costs, Persaud sold the franchise back to CPL in 2023. The team has been replaced by Antigua & Barbuda Falcons for the 2024 season onwards, with Persaud remaining as the owner of the new Antiguan franchise.
5. St Kitts and Nevis Patriots
Mahesh Ramani through Winning Willows Limited owns the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. Ramani, whose business background is in finance, acquired the franchise in 2019 from previous owners City Sports. The Patriots achieved their greatest success by winning the 2021 CPL championship and also claimed the inaugural 6ixty tournament title in 2022.
Under Ramani’s ownership, the team has focused on building a strong foundation and developing local talent. The franchise has faced challenges in recent seasons, finishing last in both 2023 and 2024, but Ramani remains committed to long-term success.
6. Saint Lucia Kings
Mohit Burman, Ness Wadia, Preity Zinta, and Karan Paul collectively own the Saint Lucia Kings through KPH Dream Cricket Private Limited, the same consortium that owns IPL franchise Punjab Kings. The group acquired the franchise in 2020 when it was known as St Lucia Zouks, rebranding it as Saint Lucia Kings in 2021.
After years of struggle, the franchise finally achieved glory by winning their maiden CPL title in 2024, defeating the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the final. This victory ended an 11-year trophy drought and marked a significant achievement for the Punjab Kings ownership group, who have been seeking major success across their cricket investments.
The ownership features notable personalities including Preity Zinta, the Bollywood actress and entrepreneur, Mohit Burman, chairman of Dabur Group with a net worth of $10.4 billion, and Ness Wadia, scion of the prominent Wadia Group.
Also READ: “Come and sit next to me…”: Ricky Ponting’s epic reply to Preity Zinta goes viral
