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.
Brands
HP launches Smart Champs learning game show with JioStar for students
Sanya Malhotra hosts quiz series blending fun, learning and prizes
NEW DELHI: HP India has teamed up with JioStar to launch HP Smart Champs, a new learning-based game show designed to make education engaging for school students across the country.
Hosted by Sanya Malhotra, the 10-episode series brings together students from Grades 5 to 9, who compete in teams through quiz and puzzle-based challenges that test knowledge, logic and teamwork. The show will begin streaming on JioHotstar from April 11 and will premiere on Nick on April 18, with weekend episodes airing at 7 PM.
Powered by HP Smart Tank printers, the format integrates print-based learning into the gameplay, using worksheets, clues and visual problem-solving tools to encourage hands-on participation. The idea is to move students beyond rote memorisation and towards more applied, curiosity-led learning.
The competition promises high stakes, with winners set to receive a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, while runners-up will take home Rs 5 lakh. Additional rewards include HP AI laptops, Smart Tank printers and accessories, while the winning school will be awarded an HP Smart Tech Lab.
Speaking about the initiative, HP India managing director Ipsita Dasgupta said, “At HP, we believe nurturing India’s youth is key to the country’s progress, and technology plays a foundational role in enabling this. With HP Smart Champs, we wanted to create something beyond traditional learning, a fun-filled platform where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking take centre stage.”
On the show’s reach, JioStar head entertainment sales Mahesh Shetty said, “HP Smart Champs reflects how children today learn through exploration and experience. With Nick and JioHotstar, we are creating a multi-screen approach that is both engaging and meaningful.”
Highlighting the role of print, HP India senior director print Satish Kumar said, “The show brings print-based learning to life in an engaging format, helping students develop deeper understanding through hands-on experiences.”
The journey to the finale began with participation from over 1,000 schools across 26 cities, narrowing down to 34 finalists who will compete in a studio showdown in Mumbai.
With its blend of entertainment, education and technology, HP Smart Champs is positioning itself as more than just a quiz show. It is a nationwide push to make learning interactive, accessible and, above all, a lot more fun.
