Volleyball: KL Rahul buys stake in Goa Guardians ahead of Prime Volleyball League season 4
Beyond the boundary: KL Rahul picks up 10% share in Goa Guardians
While most of the volleyball world is fixed on the action over in the Philippines, where the 2025 FIVB Volleyball World Championship has reached the final four, Indian volleyball players are gearing up for Season 4 of the Prime Volleyball League.
The 2025 edition of the tournament promises to be the best one yet, and due to its success over the past three campaigns, the tournament has now been expanded to 10 teams, up one from last year’s nine participants.
The new team set to make their debut at the 2025 PVL is the Goa Guardians, and it has now been revealed that the team has roped in a new part-owner in Indian cricket star KL Rahul, who has purchased a 10% stake in the franchise.
The 33-year-old has been one of India’s most famous cricketers in recent times and played a starring role for the Men in Blue in their most recent Test tour, where he helped the side claim a draw in a five-match series in England. Speaking to the media about his acquisition, Rahul said:
"This feels like a full circle moment for me. PVL is a turning point for the sport in India. The bigger picture is to give volleyball the spotlight and screen time so that more people can watch it and love this sport. Volleyball has always been a sport I enjoyed, and I'm excited to lend my voice and play my part in growing the sport in our country.”
Principal owner of the Goa Guardians, Raju Chekuri, expressed his delight to have the Indian cricket star as part of the ownership team of the franchise, while also mentioning that his inclusion will help build a franchise that inspires fans and empowers athletes.
PVL 2025 rises in value after addition of 10th franchise
The decision to expand the Prime Volleyball league this year has already produced positive results for the brand, with the PVL valuation having now increased to ₹500 crore, up by ₹100 crore from the 2024 edition.
Over the past three years, the PVL has secured several notable sponsorships, including from the likes of RR Kabel, RuPay, Cred, Amul and the State Bank of India, among others, and continued expansion is expected to attract even greater backing.
Additionally, the league has expanded its broadcasting and digital presence for the upcoming season, securing a partnership with Sony Sports Network for TV rights and YouTube for streaming to a wider audience.
One of the key factors outside of PVL as a business is that the competition is seen as a stepping stone to improve the level of volleyball in India and help the nation achieve its goal of becoming a genuine contender in the sport globally.
