While the exact value at which the Group bought the Originals is not publicly known, per a Cricbuzz report, it is estimated to be just over 100 million. This value is almost half the price at which the Mumbai Indians snapped the Oval Invincibles i.e. 195 million GBP. Worth noting, that Mr. Goenka was one of the contenders in the race for the two-time Men’s champions.
Although it is unknown who the other competitors were in the race to fetch the Originals, it is learned that an IPL franchise was among the group. Previously, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Rajasthan Royals were among the franchises that initially showed interest in the Men’s Hundred teams auction but backed out lately. There’s a possibility that one of these three re-entered to bag the Originals. However, the authorities were close-mouthed on the topic.
Five out of the eight teams – Oval Invincibles, London Spirit, Welsh Fire, Birmingham Phoenix, and Manchester Originals – have already been sold so far. Two of which have been fetched by IPL franchises. The London team was bought by a group of three Tech consortiums, Sanjay Govil, the owner of the Washington Freedom in the Major League Cricket bought the majority of Welsh Fire’s stakes, and KnightHead bought the Birmingham Phoenix.
Three teams, Nottingham’s Trent Rockets, Hampshire’s Southern Brave, and Yorkshire-based Northern Super Chargers are yet to be sold.
