India Basketball League appoints Jake Lush McCrum as chief executive officer

MUMBAI: From the cricket pitch to the basketball court, the leadership playbook is getting a new chapter. India Basketball League has appointed Jake Lush McCrum as its chief executive officer, marking a significant leadership hire as the league looks to establish itself in India’s growing sports ecosystem.

McCrum assumed the role in July 2026 after more than eight years with Rajasthan Royals, where he progressed through several senior leadership positions before serving as chief executive officer from July 2021 to January 2026.

During his tenure with the IPL franchise, he played a key role in overseeing commercial growth, strengthening cricket operations and expanding the Royals’ global footprint. Before becoming CEO, he served as chief operating officer between 2019 and 2021 and earlier as general manager, contributing to the franchise’s talent development initiatives and international expansion.

Alongside his responsibilities with Rajasthan Royals, McCrum also led the franchise’s overseas teams. He served as chief executive officer of Barbados Royals from March 2022 to December 2025 and of Paarl Royals from August 2022 to December 2025, helping build the Royals’ multi-team ownership model across different cricket leagues.

Beyond franchise cricket, McCrum was also a founding member of OPUS, a network that brings together emerging business leaders to collaborate on new approaches to business and social progress.

His appointment comes as the India Basketball League seeks experienced sports business leadership to build its commercial strategy, fan engagement and long-term organisational growth. With professional basketball attracting increasing interest in India, the league is expected to focus on expanding its audience, partnerships and grassroots development.

McCrum graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Leeds, where he captained a university hockey team. He also completed a study-abroad programme in Economics and Sports Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Having built his reputation in franchise cricket, McCrum now faces a different challenge: helping a new professional basketball league carve out its place in one of the world’s most competitive sports markets.