Pranjal Saini | New Delhi | April 17,2025
In a major development that could reshape India’s sports content ecosystem, Dream Sports—the powerhouse behind fantasy gaming unicorn Dream11—is on the verge of investing $50 million to acquire a 15% stake in Cricbuzz, India’s go-to destination for cricket coverage and commentary, according to sources familiar with the matter.
This strategic move marks Dream11’s first significant venture into the cricket-focused media landscape, giving it direct access to millions of engaged fans and a content powerhouse just in time for the IPL and the upcoming international cricket season.
“The deal has been finalized, and the transaction is likely to close soon,” a source close to the development confirmed.
Why Cricbuzz? Why Now?
Founded in 2004 by Pankaj Chhaparwal, Piyush Agrawal, and Pravin Hegde, Cricbuzz became a household name for its lightning-fast cricket updates, live commentary, and comprehensive match coverage. Times Internet, a subsidiary of the Times of India Group, acquired a majority stake in 2014 and merged it with GoCricket, expanding its digital dominance.
With an estimated 185 million users expected during IPL 2025 and 350 million video views, Cricbuzz is not just a content platform—it’s a cricket media juggernaut. The platform reportedly closed FY25 with ₹400 Cr in revenue, showcasing strong monetization and mass appeal.
Dream Sports’ investment comes with clear strategic benefits:
- Audience Synergy: Cricbuzz’s cricket-loving user base perfectly aligns with Dream11’s fantasy gaming audience.
- Deeper Integration: The deal opens up new frontiers for in-content fantasy promotions, user funneling, and cross-platform campaigns.
- Global Reach: Cricbuzz’s growing broadcasting rights portfolio in markets where JioCinema and Hotstar are absent gives Dream11 a strong foothold in untapped territories.
A Power Move in Tough Times
While competitors like ESPNcricinfo continue to hold ground, Cricbuzz’s edge lies in real-time updates, snappy commentary, and regional adaptability—just the kind of content that fuels fantasy players looking to make lightning-fast decisions.
For Times Internet, the deal provides much-needed liquidity during turbulent market conditions. But for Dream11, a company flush with cash, a 15% stake could just be the beginning. Insiders believe this could be a strategic springboard for deeper integration or further acquisition plays in the sports entertainment space.
As Dream Sports prepares to dominate the cricket content ecosystem, this investment in Cricbuzz signals more than just a financial transaction—it’s a visionary alignment between fantasy gaming and digital cricket media, setting the stage for a more immersive and connected experience for millions of cricket fans.
India’s digital cricket game just got a massive upgrade. Entrepreneur