<p>US basketball star Chris Paul and American football players Larry Fitzgerald and Kelvin Beachum have invested in Indian Premier League cricket side the Rajasthan Royals, the franchise said Sunday.</p>.<p>The world's most valuable cricket tournament has expanded to 10 teams this year with new franchises Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants paying more than $1.6 billion combined to make their entry.</p>.<p>The three US athletes will be minority investors in the Royals, who won the inaugural edition of the Twenty20 tournament in 2008 under late Australian legend Shane Warne.</p>.<p>Financial details were not disclosed.</p>.<p>"We are extremely pleased to have Chris, Larry and Kelvin join us as investors who have seen the vision of the Royals as a truly global brand," said Rajasthan's lead owner Manoj Badale.</p>.<p>The IPL has grown to be the most popular franchise-format league for Twenty20, the shortest form of cricket, and has spawned many similar tournaments elsewhere.</p>.<p>It has also spread its wings to the United States, which will co-host the 2024 T20 World Cup.</p>.<p>"I am excited to have become one of the first US athletes to see the value and scope for growth in the IPL," the Rajasthan statement quoted basketball star Paul as saying.</p>.<p>The 36-year-old, who recently took Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals, already owns a stake in minor league baseball team Winston-Salem Dash.</p>.<p>Rajasthan last year became the third team -- after Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings -- to enter the Caribbean Premier League with a majority stake in their team Barbados Tridents.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos:</strong></p>
<p>US basketball star Chris Paul and American football players Larry Fitzgerald and Kelvin Beachum have invested in Indian Premier League cricket side the Rajasthan Royals, the franchise said Sunday.</p>.<p>The world's most valuable cricket tournament has expanded to 10 teams this year with new franchises Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants paying more than $1.6 billion combined to make their entry.</p>.<p>The three US athletes will be minority investors in the Royals, who won the inaugural edition of the Twenty20 tournament in 2008 under late Australian legend Shane Warne.</p>.<p>Financial details were not disclosed.</p>.<p>"We are extremely pleased to have Chris, Larry and Kelvin join us as investors who have seen the vision of the Royals as a truly global brand," said Rajasthan's lead owner Manoj Badale.</p>.<p>The IPL has grown to be the most popular franchise-format league for Twenty20, the shortest form of cricket, and has spawned many similar tournaments elsewhere.</p>.<p>It has also spread its wings to the United States, which will co-host the 2024 T20 World Cup.</p>.<p>"I am excited to have become one of the first US athletes to see the value and scope for growth in the IPL," the Rajasthan statement quoted basketball star Paul as saying.</p>.<p>The 36-year-old, who recently took Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals, already owns a stake in minor league baseball team Winston-Salem Dash.</p>.<p>Rajasthan last year became the third team -- after Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings -- to enter the Caribbean Premier League with a majority stake in their team Barbados Tridents.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos:</strong></p>