Jackson Warne Dismisses $70 Million Rajasthan Royals Payout Claims
Jackson Warne has firmly rejected recent reports suggesting he and his sisters are poised to receive a massive $70 million windfall following the sale of the Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals. The 26-year-old son of cricket legend Shane Warne labelled the claims as 'fake news' in an exclusive statement to the Herald Sun.
Background of Shane Warne's Stake in the Franchise
Shane Warne initially acquired a 0.75 percent equity stake in the Rajasthan Royals when he came out of retirement to play for the team in 2008. Over his four-year tenure with the franchise, where he served as captain, coach, and high-performance manager, his stake grew to three percent. Reports this week indicated that a consortium led by US-based entrepreneur Kai Somani purchased the team for $2.3 billion, which would have valued Shane's stake at approximately $70 million.
Clarification on Financial Ties and Inheritance
However, according to the publication, all connections between the Warne family and the Rajasthan Royals were severed following Shane's tragic death from a heart attack in 2022. In 2021, the franchise was publicly valued at $480 million, making Shane's stake worth around $14 million at that time. Shane's final will, drafted just three months before his passing, revealed he had accumulated a fortune of $20.7 million. Jackson and his sisters Brooke, 27, and Summer, 23, each inherited just under a third of these assets, amounting to about $6.41 million per sibling.
Jackson Warne's Emotional Account of His Father's Death
In a separate interview, Jackson shared poignant details about the day his father died, marking the first time he has spoken publicly about the events. He recounted being with his mother, Simone Callahan, and sister Brooke when they received the devastating news via phone calls from Shane's managers. 'Worst phone call of my life,' Jackson described, explaining there were two initial calls: one informing them of Shane's massive heart attack and another about resuscitation efforts.
The family endured an agonising 90-minute wait before receiving confirmation of Shane's passing. 'It was just the worst hour and a half,' Jackson said, adding that they all broke down in tears upon hearing the final update. He expressed disbelief, stating, 'I looked at him as Superman. I didn't think anything would happen to him. It still is such a shock.' Shane Warne was found unconscious in a villa in Koh Samui, Thailand, in March 2022, and his death was attributed to a sudden heart attack.
Jackson emphasised that he learned of his father's death simultaneously with the public, receiving messages from concerned friends immediately after the first call. This personal revelation underscores the family's ongoing grief and the inaccuracy of the financial rumours surrounding the Rajasthan Royals sale.
