From Salman Khan to John Abraham: 7 Bollywood stars who own sports teams
Many Bollywood celebrities are not just actors—they're also smart businesspeople. Over the years, several Bollywood stars have invested in different industries like fashion, beauty, and even fitness. But one area that has seen a huge interest from our favourite stars is sports. Yes, many Bollywood stars own sports teams and are actively promoting different games across India and even abroad.
From cricket and football to kabaddi and badminton, let's take a look at these popular actors who've gone beyond the screen and into the sports arena.
Salman Khan Joins the ISPL with New Delhi Team
Salman Khan, one of Bollywood's biggest names, is now the latest celebrity to own a sports team. He has bought the New Delhi franchise in the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL). The ISPL, which is known as India's largest street cricket tournament, is growing fast. Season 2 of ISPL had over 28 million TV viewers and showed a 47% increase from the first season.
Salman is not alone in the league. Several other Bollywood stars are also part of ISPL:
Amitabh Bachchan (Majhi Mumbai)
Saif Ali Khan & Kareena Kapoor Khan (Tigers of Kolkata)
Akshay Kumar (Srinagar Ke Veer)
Suriya (Chennai Singams)
Hrithik Roshan (Bangalore Strikers)
Ram Charan (Falcon Risers Hyderabad)
Salman Khan praised the ISPL for helping young talent at the grassroots level and said he's happy to be part of this sporting revolution.
Shah Rukh Khan – The King of IPL and Beyond
When it comes to Bollywood stars who own sports teams, Shah Rukh Khan is the pioneer. He co-owns Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champion. KKR is one of the most popular and successful IPL teams.
But Shah Rukh didn't stop at IPL. He also owns or has shares in other cricket teams around the world:
Trinbago Knight Riders (CPL)
Cape Town Knight Riders (SA20)
LA Knight Riders (Major League Cricket)
For SRK, investing in sports is about giving back. 'Instead of spending on luxury, I want to support sports,' he once said in an interview.
Preity Zinta – A Proud IPL Team Owner
Preity Zinta has been a part of the IPL from the very beginning. She co-owns, IPL 2025 runner up Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab). The actress is often seen cheering from the stands with great passion.
Preity once shared that her love for sports comes from her family. Her father used to organise local tournaments in Himachal Pradesh. Inspired by that, she wanted to set up a sports school and later saw the IPL as a great platform to support cricket.
Ranbir Kapoor – Football Fan Turned Team Owner
Ranbir Kapoor is a known football lover. He has turned this passion into a business by co-owning Mumbai City FC, a top team in the Indian Super League (ISL).
Ranbir believes sports culture in India is booming. He once said, 'We're proud to be part of the change as more people embrace sports as part of daily life.'
Abhishek Bachchan – From Kabaddi to Football
Abhishek Bachchan has shown love for both kabaddi and football. He co-owns:
Jaipur Pink Panthers (Pro Kabaddi League)
Chennaiyin FC (Indian Super League)
Abhishek says his interest in these sports came from being a true fan. He's proud to help promote Indian games like kabaddi and modern football leagues.
John Abraham – Fitness Icon and Football Investor
John Abraham is known for his love of fitness, and sports are a big part of his lifestyle. He owns NorthEast United FC, another ISL team.
John has always promoted a healthy lifestyle among the youth and believes sports are a great way to build discipline and dedication. "Sport is like a religion for me," he once said.
Taapsee Pannu – Promoting Badminton in India
Taapsee Pannu is known for playing athletes in films, but she's just as sporty in real life. She owns Pune 7 Aces, a badminton team that played in the Premier Badminton League.
Taapsee once said that if she wasn't an actor, she would have become a sportsperson. Her investment in badminton is her way of supporting the game and inspiring others.
Why Bollywood Stars Are Investing in Sports Teams
The trend of Bollywood stars owning sports teams is only growing. Whether it's the IPL, ISPL, ISL, or leagues like Pro Kabaddi and PBL, these celebrities are using their fame and fortune to grow sports in India.
Their involvement brings attention to the games, encourages young players, and even boosts the fan following of these leagues. It's clear that Bollywood and sports are a winning combination!
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