Former Rajasthan Royals CEO Jake Lush McCrum Appointed CEO of ACG Sports Ahead of India Basketball League Launch
ACG Sports has announced the appointment of Jake Lush McCrum as its chief executive officer, marking a significant step towards the launch of the India Basketball League (IBL), which is scheduled to begin in early 2027.
Based in Mumbai, McCrum will oversee the strategic direction and commercial growth of ACG Sports while leading the development and launch of the India Basketball League. His appointment signals the company's intent to build a professionally managed basketball ecosystem capable of elevating the sport's profile in India. The India Basketball League is envisioned as a sports entertainment property that combines high-quality professional basketball with live entertainment and fan-focused experiences, aiming to establish basketball as a mainstream sporting product in the country.
Jake Lush McCrum joins ACG Sports after an eight-year stint with the Rajasthan Royals, where he served as the franchise's Chief Executive Officer. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in transforming the IPL franchise into one of the league's strongest digital and commercial brands.
Under his leadership, Rajasthan Royals significantly expanded their global fan base, strengthened commercial partnerships, and built one of the most engaged digital communities in world cricket. Beyond business growth, the franchise also enhanced its social initiatives through the Royals Foundation, delivering impactful community programmes across Rajasthan. His experience in franchise management, digital innovation, commercial partnerships, and fan engagement makes him one of the most experienced executives in India's sports business ecosystem.
Those capabilities are expected to be central to building the India Basketball League from the ground up.
The India Basketball League is scheduled to launch in early 2027 and aims to become India's first fully professional basketball league. Unlike traditional domestic basketball competitions, the IBL plans to position itself as a modern sports entertainment product. Alongside professional basketball, the league intends to offer entertainment-driven matchday experiences, international player participation, and fan-first initiatives designed to attract a wider audience.
The league is expected to feature both Indian and overseas talent, creating opportunities for domestic players to compete alongside experienced international professionals while raising the overall standard of competition.
With basketball steadily growing among younger audiences in India, the IBL hopes to create a sustainable platform for players, coaches, sponsors, broadcasters, and fans.
Welcoming the appointment, ACG Sports Owner and Managing Director Karan Singh expressed confidence that McCrum is the right leader to establish the league.
"We are thrilled to welcome Jake to the helm of ACG Sports. His combination of global experience with a deep immersion in India fits perfectly with what we are trying to achieve with the IBL. Jake's leadership will be instrumental as we build the India Basketball League into a premier global sporting property."
The appointment reflects ACG Sports' ambition to build a league that extends beyond domestic competition and develops into an internationally recognized sports property.
The India Basketball League enters the market at a time when basketball continues to gain popularity across India through school competitions, grassroots programs, and increasing digital consumption of international leagues.
While India has produced talented basketball players over the years, the absence of a long-term professional league has limited opportunities for athletes to compete consistently at the highest level. The IBL aims to address this gap by creating a structured competition that supports player development while attracting investment from commercial partners and broadcasters.
For Indian players, the league could provide an opportunity to play professionally at home while gaining exposure to international coaching standards and competition.
Launching a new professional sports league requires expertise across multiple areas, including commercial strategy, franchise development, media rights, sponsorship acquisition, fan engagement, and operational execution.
McCrum's experience in building one of the IPL's most commercially successful franchises positions him well to navigate these challenges. His immediate priorities are expected to include shaping the league's commercial strategy, engaging with potential franchises and partners, building the league's brand identity, and preparing for the inaugural season in 2027.
With ACG Sports making one of its first major leadership appointments well ahead of the launch, preparations for the India Basketball League appear to be gathering momentum. The success of the project will ultimately depend on its ability to combine competitive basketball with an engaging entertainment product, but the appointment of Jake Lush McCrum provides the league with experienced leadership as it looks to establish a new chapter for basketball in India.
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