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Rahul Johri Joins Flash Sports Board
Former BCCI CEO appointed to the board, bringing 35 years of cricket and media experience to drive global expansion.Record BCCI Media Rights Sale
Johri led the sale of BCCI media rights for over $3 billion, a landmark transaction.E‑Auction Innovation
He introduced the e‑auction process for cricket media rights, setting new transparency standards.Flash Sports Growth Roadmap
The company will use his expertise to expand media rights, sponsorships, franchise development, and new cricket leagues worldwide.Former BCCI CEO Rahul Johri has joined the Board of Directors of Flash Sports & Media Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: FLZH), bringing nearly 35 years of experience across cricket, media, and sports business to the company. The appointment marks a key milestone for the cricket-focused sports and media company as it looks to expand its presence across media rights, sponsorships, league management, and commercial cricket opportunities.
Rahul Johri to strengthen Flash Sports’ cricket-focused vision
Flash Sports & Media Holdings announced that Rahul Johri, the first-ever Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has been appointed to its Board of Directors. The company said the appointment reflects its strategy of building a leading cricket-focused sports and media platform backed by experienced industry leadership.
During his tenure at the BCCI, Johri oversaw all international and domestic cricket operations, the Indian Premier League (IPL), and the National Cricket Academy. One of the defining achievements of his tenure was leading the sale of BCCI media rights worth more than USD 3 billion, making it one of the largest media rights transactions in Indian sports history. 
Johri also introduced the e-auction process to cricket media rights, a move that established a new benchmark for transparency and competitive value in the sale of the sport’s commercial rights.
According to the company, Johri’s expertise in rights monetisation, long-standing relationships across the global cricket ecosystem, and experience in building and scaling media businesses will directly support Flash Sports’ growth strategy. The company plans to focus on media rights, sponsorships, franchise development, and expanding its portfolio of cricket leagues across key markets.
Announcing the appointment, Bradley Natrass, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Flash Sports & Media Holdings, highlighted Johri’s credentials and the strategic value he brings to the organisation.
“Rahul is a highly respected leader 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.”
Natrass added that the appointment reflects the company’s long-term ambitions.
“His appointment to our board sends a clear signal about the scale of our ambition. We are building FLZH into a serious, global cricket-media company, and Rahul’s guidance will be invaluable as we execute that plan.”
Commenting on his appointment, Johri said the global cricket landscape is entering a period of significant commercial growth.
“Cricket is entering its most exciting commercial era, with new leagues, new markets and new audiences reshaping the global game.”
He also expressed confidence in the company’s direction.
“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 tenure at the BCCI, Johri has built an extensive career spanning nearly 35 years across media and sports. Most recently, he served as President – Business at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., where he was responsible for driving revenue across the company’s portfolio of more than 60 television channels and the streaming platform Zee5. During this period, he also spearheaded the launch of the UAE-based T20 league, ILT20.
Earlier in his career, Johri headed Discovery Networks South & Southeast Asia, where he launched 11 television channels and introduced regional Indian language programming to the network’s international content. He was also part of the founding launch team of Outlook magazine. He currently leads Citadel Advisory, a media and sports advisory firm operating across India and the UAE.
Flash Sports & Media Holdings describes itself as a cricket-focused sports and media company seeking to develop and commercialise opportunities across cricket media, league management, sponsorships, broadcasting, and sports entertainment. Through its relationship with Innovative Production Group FZ, LLC, the company aims to expand professional cricket properties, media and broadcast opportunities, league operations, and other commercial initiatives across the global cricket ecosystem.
