The global franchise landscape in modern cricket is undergoing a major transformation and Sun Group is positioning itself at the forefront of this development. Following a historic takeover in English cricket’s premier short-format tournament, sunrisers leads Owner Kavya Maran Stepped into the broadcast booth for his commentary debut on Sky Sports. Speaking candidly about the group’s ambitious trajectory, Maran contemplated gaining full control of the Leeds-based franchise and outlined his vision to expand the iconic orange brand across the global domestic leagues.
During his broadcast appearance, Maran explained in detail the strategic decision behind acquiring 100% stake in Northern Superchargers, which has now been rebranded under the Sunrisers banner. Unlike other private entities in The Hundred, which had opted for a partial 49% or 51% equity stake, Sun Group became the sole investor to assume full ownership of the franchise in partnership with Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
Maran praised the collaborative synergy with White Rose County, emphasizing that full operational ownership works best through strong local alignment.
“very much so. I think that was something we were clear about with the ECB from the beginning as well and we have a very good relationship with the county of Yorkshire. So, I think even though we have 100 percent, we’re working very closely with them and they’ve been a great partner to have on board.Maran shared during his Sky Sports debut.
The rebrand from the team’s original purple-and-black aesthetic to the signature Sunrisers orange was greeted with huge enthusiasm by the Headingley crowd. Encouraged by the local reception, Maran expressed immense optimism for the future reach of the franchise.
“I don’t think anyone can stop us now. This is a good start. I’ve seen a lot of oranges and I think this is a great start for us. Obviously, this is a new brand for them. They were in a different color. The good news is that they love orange and that’s exciting. I guess this is where we go from here“He added.
Here is the video:
“We’ll just move forward from here.” 🙌
Sunrisers Leeds owner Kavya Maran shares her views on sole ownership, relationship with the ECB and the franchise’s vision for the future. 🧡
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A proven winning formula in global franchise cricket
The acquisition in Leeds expands Sun Group’s cricket portfolio to four different teams across three major continents. This expansion builds on a strong track record of competitive excellence and fan engagement in both established and emerging markets.
In Indian Premier League (IPL), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Has been a heavyweight contender for a long time. Since capturing their first IPL title in 2016, the franchise has maintained a high level of consistency and reached the finals of the tournament in both 2018 and 2024. South AfricaSA20, Sunrisers Eastern Cape The league has established unmatched dominance by securing three titles in its first four seasons to become the most decorated team in the history of the tournament.
By taking full control of both the men’s and women’s teams in Leeds, the Sunrisers ecosystem now links talent development and sports management across India, South Africa and the United Kingdom. As crowd participation and commercial excitement grows around the orange banner, Maran’s strategic vision signals a long-term commitment to shaping the future of multi-league cricket.
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