The India Basketball League (IBL) has taken another major step towards its highly anticipated debut after announcing the appointment of former Rajasthan Royals chief executive Jake Lush McCrum as its new CEO.
Announced by ACG Sports, the appointment sees the British sports executive relocate to Mumbai to oversee the strategic growth and commercial development of what is set to become India’s first fully professional basketball league. The competition is scheduled to launch in early 2027 and aims to blend elite basketball with entertainment-driven fan experiences.
If successful, the IBL could represent one of the biggest milestones in the growth of basketball across India.
A New Era for Basketball in India
ACG Sports confirmed that Jake Lush McCrum will lead both the strategic direction of the business and the rollout of the India Basketball League.
The IBL has been designed as more than a traditional sporting competition. Organisers say it will combine professional basketball, live entertainment and immersive fan experiences to create a modern sports property capable of attracting both domestic and international audiences.
The league forms part of ACG Sports’ wider ambition to elevate basketball within India while creating new commercial opportunities for athletes, partners and supporters.
Jake Lush McCrum Brings Proven Sports Business Experience
Lush McCrum arrives following an eight-year spell with the Rajasthan Royals, where he served as CEO and played a key role in transforming the Indian Premier League franchise into one of cricket’s strongest commercial and digital brands.
During his tenure, the Royals expanded their global fanbase, increased digital engagement and strengthened the impact of the Royals Foundation through numerous community initiatives across Rajasthan.
His experience in commercial growth, sponsorship, digital strategy and international brand building is expected to play a central role in establishing the India Basketball League as a sustainable long-term sporting property.
Building a Global Sporting Property
Speaking about the appointment, Karan Singh, Owner and Managing Director of ACG Sports, praised McCrum’s experience.
“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 comes as preparations continue ahead of the league’s inaugural season in 2027.
Why the India Basketball League Matters
Basketball continues to enjoy growing popularity throughout India, but until now the country has lacked a long-term professional domestic league capable of developing elite talent and attracting significant commercial investment.
The India Basketball League aims to address that gap by providing professional opportunities for Indian players while introducing international talent, entertainment-focused matchdays and enhanced fan engagement.
ACG Sports previously announced that the league would feature structured competitions designed to create a sustainable basketball ecosystem capable of supporting both grassroots development and elite competition.
What Comes Next?
With Jake Lush McCrum now leading the project, attention turns towards building partnerships, expanding the league’s commercial portfolio and finalising preparations for the inaugural campaign.
As basketball’s popularity continues to rise across Asia, the India Basketball League hopes to establish itself as one of the region’s premier sporting competitions when it tips off in 2027.
For fans of global sport, the appointment signals another significant step in India’s growing investment in professional leagues beyond cricket.
