Sports is considered the greatest leisure time across the globe, while it is the best sort of entertainment in India. Although cricket is considered a religion in the country, the rise of other sports in the past few years, along with the involvement of Bollywood celebrities, has taken the hype in the sporting country to a next level.
undefined
From cricket to football, kabaddi to hockey, the Bollywood celebrities have never shied away from expressing their love for the sports and eventually owning a team. On the same note, we take a look at the Bollywood celebrities who presently own a sports team.
undefined
Shah Rukh Khan (Kolkata Knight Riders): Undoubtedly, on the top of the list has to be the so-called 'Bollywood King' Shah Rukh Khan, who always had a love for cricket. And, when the Indian Premier League (IPL) was introduced in 2008, he was determined to have his team. Surprisingly, he expressed his love for Bengal, as he decided to co-own the majority of the state-based franchise and named it Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The team has been the champions on a couple of occasions (2012 and 2014).
undefined
Abhishek Bachchan (Chennaiyin FC and Jaipur Pink Panthers): Abhishek too is a sporting freak and has a love for the sport of football, as well as kabaddi. Therefore, when the opportunity arised, he decided to own a sports team, as he started with Pro-Kabaddi League (PKL) franchise, Jaipur Pink Panthers, in 2014. They won the championship the very season. The same year, the Indian Super League (ISL) came into existence, as Abhishek decided to co-own the Chennai-based Chennaiyin FC, alongside MS Dhoni and Vita Dani. The side has won the ISL on a couple of occasions (2015-16 and 2017-18).
undefined
Ranbir Kapoor (Mumbai City FC): Another famous Bollywood celebrity, who has a love for cricket and football. While Ranbir is yet to own a cricket team, he certainly owns from football, as ISL's Mumbai City FC is under him. He co-owns it, along with Bimal Parekh, as both consolidated own 35% of the stake, while the rest is owned by City Football Group. The side is yet to win the tournament to date.
undefined
John Abraham (Delhi Waveriders and NorthEast United FC): Bollywood actor John Abraham, too, is a sporting freak, especially football. As for his sports ownership stint, he started with Hockey India League (HIL), where he owned Delhi Waveriders, owning 13% of its stake, as his side won the championship in 2013. The next year, he decided to own ISL franchise NorthEast United FC and has the entire stake with him. However, the side is yet to win the title.
undefined
Priety Zinta (Kings XI Punjab): The ever-hyped Bollywood actress Priety Zinta has a love for cricket since her childhood. Therefore, she did not miss her turn to own her team, as she chose to own the Punjab-based franchise, Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), in the IPL. Nonetheless, the side has failed to live up to the hype and is yet to win the title to date.
undefined
Sunny Leone (Kerala Cobras): The exotic former pornstar-turned Bollywood actress, Sunny Leone, too, has never shyed away from her love for sports. While she has made appearances in IPL to display her support for KXIP, she has a knack for football as well, as she owns Kerala Cobras entirely in the Premier Futsal, since 2017. Nonetheless, her side fared poorly the very season, finsihing at the bottom.
undefined