The cricexec Forum, taking place on Friday, October 24, 2025 in Santa Clara, California, will feature a headline session titled “In Conversation: Inside a Winning Sponsorship,” bringing together two powerhouses at the intersection of sport and marketing — the San Francisco Unicorns and LT Foods, the first-ever sponsor of Major League Cricket in the U.S. (and owners of Royal Basmati Rice among other leading brands).
The cricexec Forum, is the business-focused capstone of the Cricket Impact Summit & Expo, taking place at the Marriott Santa Clara, California.
This exclusive session will feature David White, CEO of the San Francisco Unicorns, and Mayuri Mukherjee, VP of Marketing for LT Foods Americas, in a candid and in-depth discussion about how rights holders and sponsors work together to create authentic, measurable impact — on the field, on TV, and in the community.
A partnership built across multiple platforms
Royal Basmati Rice holds a unique position in U.S. cricket sponsorship. The brand is not only a founding sponsor of Major League Cricket, but also a direct team sponsor of the San Francisco Unicorns — giving it both league-wide and franchise-level visibility.
In addition, Royal has been one of the most active television advertisers around cricket broadcasts in the U.S., reinforcing its connection with fans across multiple touchpoints.
The session will explore how those strategies come together — the synergy between national sponsorship and local team partnership, and how brands can balance broad awareness campaigns with deep, community-driven engagement.
“At the Unicorns, we’ve made a conscious effort to build a sponsorship roster that is robust across categories and resonates with our fanbase,” said David White, CEO of the San Francisco Unicorns. “That means aligning with partners who share our ambition, our values, and our belief in what cricket can become in America.”
He continued: “Royal has been with the MLC from the beginning, and also partnered with the Unicorns directly, and their commitment across league, team, and television platforms is a perfect example of a modern, 360-degree sponsorship strategy. Together we’re showing how a rights holder and sponsor can collaborate to grow both the game and the brand.”
Mayuri Mukherjee, VP of Marketing for LT Foods Americas, added: “Just like food, cricket has the power to bring people together. Our strategy is about building lasting connections with cricket fans at every level — from the broadcast screen to the local ballpark. Through our partnership with the San Francisco Unicorns and Major League Cricket, Royal is proud to unite fans through the flavors that define the game and be a part of cricket’s growth story in America.”
More than a sponsorship — a shared vision for growth
The San Francisco Unicorns have built one of the strongest sponsorship portfolios of any T20 franchise outside the IPL, backed by a focus on strategic alignment, brand identity, and storytelling.
LT Foods, meanwhile, continues to lead the way for consumer brands investing in cricket, connecting global heritage with American audiences through food, culture, and sport.
“This is exactly the kind of dialogue we want the cricexec Forum to spark,” said Zee Zaidi, Owner of cricexec. “It’s rare to have both sides of a major sponsorship sit down together and talk about what works — the business rationale, the creativity, and the trust. For anyone in the industry, this is a real opportunity to get insights straight from the minds of a top sponsor and rights holder.”
About the session
In Conversation: Inside a Winning Sponsorship
Friday, October 24 • 2:15 PM – 2:55 PM PT
Santa Clara, CA (during the Cricket Impact Summit & Expo)
