Chennai Super Kings Owners

Jatin

CSK owner N. Srinivasan with MS Dhoni [Source: @kurkureter/x.com]CSK owner N. Srinivasan with MS Dhoni [Source: @kurkureter/x.com]

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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) aren’t just an IPL team, they’re a full-blown cricketing emotion. From their first match in 2008 to now, they’ve been one of the most loved teams in the league.

With five IPL trophies in their cabinet, CSK knows how to win hearts and titles. But there’s more to this team than Dhoni and the iconic yellow jersey. Their ownership journey is a story in itself: full of highs and a few lows.

Here’s a closer look at Chennai Super Kings owners who runs the show behind this powerhouse franchise.

CSK Owner: Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited

The official boss of CSK is Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL). It’s been holding the reins since 2014. From managing player contracts to handling sponsorship, CSKCL does it all and is basically the backbone of everything at CSK.

Before CSKCL, it was India Cements running the show. But after some controversies, India Cements had to step back, and CSKCL stepped up.

Key Figures in Ownership

If you know CSK, you know N. Srinivasan. He’s the former boss of the BCCI and ICC and is also the Managing Director of India Cements. In short, the CSK owner knows his way around cricket and business. Srinivasan has been a huge part of CSK’s success story as he has steered the team through some pretty tough times.

Then there’s his daughter, Rupa Gurunath. She’s been involved in the franchise too, making sure the family stays connected to the team. Together, they’ve helped build CSK into the brand it is today.

CSK’s Ownership History

CSK was born in 2008 when the IPL was just an idea turning into reality. Back then, the franchise was bought by India Cements, and it quickly became one of the most exciting teams in the league. Things were going great until 2015 when the team got hit with a two-year suspension because of the spot-fixing scandal.

This was when Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited was created. They took over from India Cements and gave the team a fresh start. Since then, it’s been smooth sailing (mostly).

N. Srinivasan: Controversies and Legal Challenges

You can’t talk about CSK’s ownership without mentioning the 2013 spot-fixing scandal. Srinivasan’s son-in-law, Gurunath Meiyappan, got caught in a messy betting case, and it shook the team’s reputation. The punishment was a two-year suspension. Fans were heartbroken, and it wasn’t an easy time for anyone.

But here’s the thing about CSK, they bounce back. The team came roaring back in 2018 and grabbed the IPL title like they’d never been away. It was classic CSK: underdogs turned champions.

Business Ventures and Affiliations

CSK is a brand that fans live and breathe and their merchandise game is on point with everything from jerseys to mugs flying off shelves. Beyond the IPL, CSK runs a high-performance centre and cricket academy in Chennai where they nurture budding cricketers.

CSK also owns the Joburg Super Kings in SA20 and the Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket which has expanded their global reach. With subsidiaries like Superking Ventures Pvt Ltd and partnerships with big brands, CSK has become a grand cricketing empire. It is worth mentioning that CSK was the first IPL team to hit unicorn status in 2021.

FAQs: Chennai Super Kings Owners

Q.1. Who owns CSK?

Answer: CSK is owned by Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL).

Q.2. Who are the key figures in the team’s ownership?

Answer: N. Srinivasan, Managing Director of India Cements, and his daughter, Rupa Gurunath, are the key figures in the team’s ownership.

Q.3. What controversies has the ownership faced?

Answer: The 2013 spot-fixing scandal, which led to a two-year suspension is one of the biggest controversies CSK ownership has faced.

Q.4. What other ventures are associated with the team’s owners?

Answer: CSK’s owners own international teams like Joburg Super Kings and Texas Super Kings, and manage merch collaborations and sponsorships for the team among other things.