Flash Sports appoints former BCCI CEO Rahul Johri to its board

Flash Sports & Media Holdings has appointed Rahul Johri, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), to its Board of Directors. Johri is an accomplished executive in Indian media and sport, and his appointment marks a significant step in the company's strategy to build a leading, cricket-focused sports and media platform.

During his tenure as the BCCI's first CEO, Johri oversaw the full spectrum of the sport — all international and domestic cricket operations, the Indian Premier League (IPL T20), and the National Cricket Academy.

He led the sale of BCCI media rights for more than $3 billion, one of the largest rights transactions in Indian sports history, and pioneered the introduction of the e-auction to cricket, setting a new standard of transparency and competitive value in how the game's commercial rights are sold.


The company believes Johri's rights-monetisation expertise, deep relationships across the global cricket ecosystem, and track record of building and scaling media businesses will directly support Flash Sports' growth priorities which include pursuing media rights, sponsorship, franchise development, and the expansion of its league portfolio across key cricket markets.

“Rahul is a highly respected leaders in the business of cricket with deep experience across media rights, broadcasters and cricket properties,” Few executives in the world have his combination of commercial vision, credibility with rights holders and broadcasters, and hands-on experience building the properties that define the modern game,” said Bradley Natrass, Chairman & CEO, Flash Sports & Media Holdings.

“His appointment to our board sends a clear signal about the scale of our ambition. We are building Flash into a serious, global cricket-media company, and Rahul's guidance will be invaluable as we execute that plan," he added.

“Cricket is entering its most exciting commercial era, with new leagues, new markets and new audiences reshaping the global game,” said Rahul Johri. “Flash Sports & Media has assembled a compelling platform at exactly the right moment, and I am delighted to join the board. I look forward to helping the Company build world-class cricket properties and unlock their full commercial potential.”

Beyond his cricket administration career, Johri brings nearly 35 years of leadership across the media and sports industry. He most recently served as President – Business at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., where he drove revenue across Zee's 60-plus television channels and its digital platform Zee5, and spearheaded the launch of the U.A.E.-based T20 league, ILT20.

Earlier, as Head of Discovery Networks South & Southeast Asia, he launched 11 channels and introduced regional Indian languages to international programming. Johri was part of the founding launch team of Outlook magazine. He currently heads Citadel Advisory, a media and sports business advisory firm operating across India and the UAE.