MAM
American athletes Chris Paul, Larry Fitzgerald, Kelvin Beachum invest in Rajasthan Royals
Mumbai: The champions of the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Rajasthan Royals have attracted investment from US athletes basketball player Chris Paul and American football stars Larry Fitzgerald and Kelvin Beachum.
The trio has come on board as minority investors in the Rajasthan-based franchise. They are investing through Emerging Media Ventures, the vehicle controlled by Manoj Badale.
“We are extremely pleased to have Chris, Larry and Kelvin join us as investors who have seen the vision of the Royals as a truly global brand,” said the franchise’s lead owner Manoj Badale, as he welcomed the US trio as investors in the franchise.
In addition, as part of the recent transaction for the Royals to acquire the Barbados Tridents, CMG Companies has joined the Royals ownership group. CMG Companies in the US principal Manish Patel stated, “We are extremely excited about the partnership with the Rajasthan Royals family. We believe this collaboration with the Rajasthan Royals will further advance cricket in Barbados and the region. This is a dream come true for all of us at CMG Companies, a team of Indian-origin entrepreneurs with strong connections to India.”
Paul the franchise noted is one of the greatest defenders to have graced the NBA court with 11 NBA All-Star team appearances, two Olympic Gold medals, and more recently taking the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals. Paul’s investment portfolio includes a stake in the minor league baseball team Winston-Salem Dash, and with an eye on enhancing the fan experience in the IPL, the 36-year-old defender has chosen to invest in the Royals. “I am excited to have become one of the first US athletes to see the value and scope for growth in the IPL. With a variety of components, including stadium experience and fan engagement still left to fulfill their course, I see myself contributing world-class experience through this strategic investment,” said Paul, who served as the former National Basketball Players Association president.
The NFL’s wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who played with the Arizona Cardinals for 17 seasons and received accolades including 11 Pro Bowl appearances and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2016, is also known as a serious investor and philanthropist said the franchise. “I love the idea of building a professional franchise with a clear social purpose and look forward to working with this team to challenge the realms of possibility by expanding to new horizons as a franchise. India has a passionate sports culture and I’m excited to invest in one of the most sought-after teams in the country,” expressed Fitzgerald.
Beachum is a 10-year NFL veteran who currently plays for the Arizona Cardinals. In addition to his professional football commitments, he is an active investor, especially in technology, and a board member of NFL Players Association. “I am keenly aware of the popularity of cricket internationally and am thrilled to join the Rajasthan Royals franchise as an investor. I respect the global reach of the IPL and am committed to supporting the Royals,” he said.
MAM
L’Atelier 1664 returns to Lakmé Fashion Week with Abraham & Thakore
Design platform showcases ‘The Sari’torial’ blending tailoring and drapes.
MUMBAI: When couture meets craft, even a sari can learn a few new tricks. L’Atelier 1664 is returning to Lakmé Fashion Week 2026 in Mumbai, continuing its design led partnership with one of India’s most influential fashion platforms. The cultural platform will once again spotlight the intersection of fashion, craftsmanship and contemporary lifestyle, this time through a special runway collaboration with design house Abraham & Thakore.
Titled “The Sari’torial,” the curated showcase reimagines the sari through a conversation between structured tailoring and fluid draping. Drawing inspiration from the relaxed elegance of French style and the rich heritage of Indian textiles, the collection explores everyday silhouettes refined with signature fabrics, subtle detailing and a restrained colour palette highlighted by L’Atelier 1664’s distinctive house blue.
The collaboration marks a continuation of L’Atelier 1664’s presence at Lakmé Fashion Week after its debut association last year, reinforcing the platform’s growing engagement with India’s creative and fashion ecosystem.
Beyond the runway, the brand will also host its signature lounge at the fashion week venue, creating an immersive experiential space designed to bring together design, culture and contemporary lifestyle in one setting.
Carlsberg India vice president for marketing Partha Sarathi Jha said the association reflects the brand’s interest in supporting creative expression. “Lakmé Fashion Week is one of the most important platforms for fashion and creative expression in India. Through L’Atelier 1664, we aim to celebrate this intersection of culture, design and contemporary lifestyle. We are excited to continue our association with Lakmé Fashion Week and collaborate with Abraham & Thakore to bring this vision to life on the runway,” he said.
Designers David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore added that the collection explores a cross cultural design dialogue. “With Sari’torial, we wanted to explore a conversation between French ease and Indian craftsmanship. Our collaboration with L’Atelier 1664 blends a relaxed French sensibility with the richness of Indian textiles, reinterpreting traditional crafts through a modern lens,” they said.
L’Atelier 1664 is part of the portfolio of Carlsberg Group, the Denmark headquartered beverages company whose Indian arm has operated in the country since 2007. Today, Carlsberg India runs 14 breweries across the country, including eight company owned facilities and six contract manufacturers, supporting a portfolio that includes brands such as Carlsberg Smooth, Carlsberg Elephant, Tuborg Green, Tuborg Strong, Tuborg Ice Draft, Tuborg Classic and 1664 Blanc.
Through its continued presence at Lakmé Fashion Week, L’Atelier 1664 is positioning itself not just as a sponsor but as a cultural platform connecting fashion, design and lifestyle conversations in India’s evolving creative landscape.
