In a blockbuster sale ahead of the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Rajasthan Royals has been sold to Kal Somani, a United States-based entrepreneur for a jaw-dropping amount of $1.63 billion that amounts to ₹15000 crore.
It has led to curiosity among many fans as to who Kal Somani is and the piece provides plenty of information on his background.
Who is Kal Somani, the new owner of the Rajasthan Royals?
Media reports in March 2026 indicated that the franchise was up for sale as ArcelorMittal promoter family and Aditya Birla Group in partnership with David Blitzer was also in contention. British-Indian businessman Manoj Badale was the lead owner of the Royals but Somani has gained full control of the franchise, as of March 24, 2026, Tuesday. Meanwhile, Somani is based on Scottsdale in the United States and is the founder of IntraEdge, privacy compliance platform Truyo, AI governance firm Truyo.AI and ed-tech services provider Academian. He has spent the last 15 years focussing on data privacy and security, AI governance and sports tech.
Somani had notably invested in the Royals in 2021 and said, as quoted by Moneycontrol.com
“We see huge potential with this investment, and we are excited for the future of the IPL.”
Somani holds backing from American businessman Rob Walton, who belongs to the Walmart Family and the Hamp Family that boasts of majority stake in National Football League (NFL) team Detroit Lions. It’s worth noting that Sheila Ford Hamp is part of the Ford Family that holds a significant stake in Ford Motor Company. Additionally, he co-owns Motor City Golf Club and has investment in ventures like TMRW Sports and the TGL Golf League. Hence, it’s entry into IPL is not unexpected.
What is Kal Somani’s net worth?
There is no precise information on Kal Somani’s net worth but given he has purchased the Royals for a staggering sum of ₹15000 crore, his net worth should be sky high.
Kal Somani’s India connection:
Various media reports have claimed that Somani grew up in a small town in India and studied electronics and telecommunications in a local university before moving to the United States in 1998.
The acquisition only underlines IPL’s growth by leaps and bounds as it continues to create its standing in the global stage.