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Time of India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ranbir Kapoor's CA reveals how Rishi Kapoor questioned the actor's football dream: ‘Who will take care of it?'
Ranbir Kapoor's passion led him to co-own Mumbai City FC in 2014. Bimal Parekh, his chartered accountant, spotted the opportunity. Rishi Kapoor approved, ensuring family involvement. City Football Group acquired a major stake in 2019. Kapoor and Parekh retained ownership. The club achieved significant wins. Kapoor aimed to promote football in India through this venture. Ranbir Kapoor turned his passion for football into reality by co-owning Mumbai City FC in the year 2014. A die-hard fan of the sport, Ranbir watched his team make history—becoming the first to win both the League Winners Shield and the ISL Cup in a single season. The club has since clinched the league shield twice. Now, years later, Ranbir's chartered accountant and co-owner, Bimal Parekh, has shared how it all began—with a newspaper ad, a gut feeling, and a conversation with Rishi Kapoor . Spotting the Opportunity: The Auction That Sparked It All It all began when Bimal Parekh came across a notice about a football team auction. Knowing Ranbir Kapoor's deep love for the sport, he sensed an opportunity and suggested that Ranbir consider buying the club. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bimal Parekh shared that he was well aware of Ranbir Kapoor's passion for football — so much so that the actor would fly to Barcelona just to catch a match. When Bimal came across the news of a football team being auctioned, he immediately saw potential. Drawing from his experience managing clients like Juhi Chawla and observing the booming cricket business, he felt investing in football could be the next big move. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Men Over 50: Frequent Urination & Weak Stream? Do this Before Bed healthydayscare Click Here Undo Rishi Kapoor's Role: The Final Word on Management Although Ranbir was enthusiastic about owning a football club, the final decision rested with his father, Rishi Kapoor. When the idea was pitched, Rishi approved in principle but raised concerns about who would manage the team. While the suggestion was to bring in professionals, Rishi believed someone from the family should be directly involved in overseeing the operations. Bimal Parekh offered to take charge of the club himself, which satisfied Rishi Kapoor. When asked about his fee, Bimal opted for a stake in the team instead of payment. Though the initial journey was slow, the club eventually gained momentum. At the time of the club's purchase, Ranbir Kapoor expressed his pride in joining the Indian Super League and representing Mumbai. A lifelong football fan, he said the move was a way to turn his passion into something meaningful by helping promote the sport in India. A Major Stake Sale and Current Ownership In November 2019, Mumbai City FC saw a major shift when City Football Group (CFG) — the global entity behind clubs like Manchester City and New York City FC — acquired a 65% stake in the team. Ranbir Kapoor retained an 18% ownership, while his co-owner and chartered accountant Bimal Parekh held the remaining 17%. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Ranbir Kapoor is not bothered about money, wanted to start a football club, recalls CA: ‘Rishi Kapoor asked who will take care of it?'
In 2014, Ranbir Kapoor, who is an ardent football enthusiast made his dream come true when he bought Mumbai City Football Club. Over the years, his club became the first to win both the League Winners Shield and the ISL cup title in a single season. Eventually, Ranbir's club went on to win the ISL league winners shield twice. Now, after all these years, the actor's chartered accountant as well as club's co-owner Bimal Parekh recalled how exactly they happened to buy the club. It all started when Bimal Parekh read about an auction of a football team. Knowing Ranbir's love for the game, Bimal saw an opportunity and advised Ranbir to buy the club. Talking to The Hollywood Reporter, Bimal Parekh said, 'I knew Ranbir was a huge football fan — he'd go to Barcelona for a day just to watch a match. So, when I read about the auction of a football team, I sensed an opportunity. Juhi has been a client for more than 30 years, so I knew cricket was making huge money.' ALSO READ | Abhishek Bachchan dines with Jaya Bachchan, Diana Penty hours after Aishwarya Rai's bold sindoor look at Cannes; Big B continues his streak of blank post While Ranbir was excited about owning a football club, it was Rishi Kapoor who had the final say. 'Ranbir was excited about the idea, so we went to Rishiji, as he was the decision-maker. He was fine with it but wanted to know who'd run the team. I suggested we hire professional, but Rishiji was of the opinion that someone from the family should be there to look after.' He added, 'It was then that I said I could do it, and he was happy. But he had one question: What will be your fee? I said I'd rather a stake instead! However, it took some time for the game to take off.' When the actor bought the club, he told PTI, 'It is a moment of great pride for me to be a part of the Indian Super League and to represent the vibrant city of Mumbai. Football has never been far away from my daily life since childhood, and now as a partner in the Indian Super League, I am looking forward to translate my passion into contributing to the growth of the sport.' In November 2019, City Football Group (CFG) acquired a 65% stake in Mumbai City FC. CFG also owns Manchester City, and New York City FC among the many other clubs around the world. Ranbir Kapoor retained 18% stake while Bimal was left with other 17%.
India Gazette
25-04-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
"We had to come back strong": Vikram Partap Singh reflects on Mumbai City FC's emphatic start to Kalinga Super Cup
By Diptayan Hazra Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], April 25 (ANI): Mumbai City FC kicked off their Kalinga Super Cup campaign with a statement, brushing aside Chennaiyin FC with a dominant 4-0 win. For forward Vikram Partap Singh, it was a much-needed response after their crushing 0-5 defeat to Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) Knockout clash. 'I think after we lost the last match (against Bengaluru FC), it was very important for the team to come back. So, in everyone's mind, for the last 20-25 days, it was that we have to come back strong,' Vikram told ANI. The Islanders are the first club to win both the League Winners Shield and the ISL cup title in a single season, which it accomplished in the 2020-21 season. They were the first team to win the ISL league winners shield twice, and were the Cup winners of the 2023-24 season as well, but this season they were not that impressive; they will try to win the Kalinga Super Cup. The young Indian attacker, who had a relatively quiet ISL season with just one goal, sees the Kalinga Super Cup as an opportunity to turn things around -- both for the team and himself. Last season he netted eight goals in the ISL. 'The main thing is that wherever I play, I want to win this tournament. I am not thinking about where I am playing. I want to play well and win this tournament,' he stated, showcasing his hunger and clarity of focus. Up next for Mumbai City is a tricky test against Inter Kashi FC, one of the most impressive sides in the I-League this season. However, Vikram insists that the approach remains unchanged. 'Everything is going to be the same. The way we were ready for Chennaiyin FC, it will be the same for them (Inter Kashi FC). There won't be any difference. It is a knockout match and anything can happen. So, we have to give everything,' he said. When asked if there were any special plans against Inter Kashi, Vikram kept it simple, 'No, it's a game-by-game. It's not special.' With a firm eye on the trophy, Vikram also shared his personal ambition. 'Right now, my personal target is to win the Kalinga Super Cup,' he said. (ANI)
