Krafton India has shot down rumours of a minority stake in IPL team Rajasthan Royals, calling the reports “completely and utterly speculative.” The statement follows CNBC-TV18’s report on early talks, with Krafton stressing its focus on India-first gaming partnerships rather than locking in any specific deals.
- Initial buzz from State of Play on Royals eyeing ownership chats with gaming players, amid a billion-dollar valuation push led by The Raine Group.
- Reports suggest, Krafton’s early discussions for a minority stake from an existing investor in the Manoj Badale group, hinting at gaming’s big leap into sports.
Krafton Denies RR Investment
However, in an exclusive statement to InsideSport, Krafton denied the reports. Krafton’s playing it safe, in line with its BGMI-fueled growth in India – betting on esports and gaming over jumping straight into sports ownership. Royals, mostly held by Emerging Media (65%), RedBird Capital, and others, want strategic minority backers to link cricket and gaming fans without flipping control. No official words yet from Rajasthan Royals.
Krafton’s Full Statement, “KRAFTON India is committed to building deeper India-first gaming experiences, as has been our stated ambition. While we continue to evaluate multiple partnerships aligned with this strategic vision, it is extremely premature to link them to any specific outcomes. Furthermore, any reports related to investments, potential or otherwise, in IPL franchises, are completely and utterly speculative.
KRAFTON India Takes Over Publishing of Nautilus Mobile’s Real Cricket
KRAFTON India is marking a major milestone as it officially assumes publishing responsibilities for Real Cricket, the country’s leading cricket gaming franchise developed by Nautilus Mobile. This step reinforces the company’s commitment to strengthening India’s gaming ecosystem and supporting homegrown gaming IPs with global potential.
Real Cricket has long been one of India’s most successful and beloved mobile gaming franchises, amassing millions of dedicated players and setting new benchmarks in cricket simulation. Guided by KRAFTON’s publishing leadership and powered by Nautilus Mobile’s decade-long expertise in cricket game development, this integration represents a shared ambition to create a richer, more connected and more rewarding cricket experience for millions of players.
Furthermore, it builds on KRAFTON’s continued efforts to fuel India’s gaming ambitions, including investments in Indian studios, the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI), world-class esports events, and initiatives that help nurture local talent.
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