Virat Kohli: Football, Tennis, and E-Racing
Virat Kohli's ambitions have always extended beyond the 22-yard cricket pitch. At the young age of 25, he made his first major foray into sports ownership by becoming a co-owner of the Indian Super League (ISL) football club, FC Goa. His involvement brought
immediate glamour and attention to the league's inaugural season. While his direct ownership stake was reported to be less than 25 percent, his association provided invaluable brand recognition for the team. Never one to stand still, Kohli also ventured into the world of professional tennis, acquiring a stake in the UAE Royals, a team in the International Premier Tennis League. More recently, in 2023, he expanded his portfolio into the futuristic world of electric powerboat racing. Kohli, alongside entrepreneur Adi K Mishra, owns The Blue Rising team in the UIM E1 World Championship, joining other global sports icons like Tom Brady and Rafael Nadal in the all-electric series.
MS Dhoni: A Passion for Football and Hockey
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's love for football is a well-known part of his story; he started as a goalkeeper before dedicating himself to cricket. It was a natural fit, then, for him to become a co-owner of the Chennai-based ISL franchise, Chennaiyin FC, in 2014. His connection to Chennai, forged through years of captaining the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, made the association seamless. Alongside actor Abhishek Bachchan and entrepreneur Vita Dani, Dhoni has seen the club achieve significant success, winning the ISL title twice. But his interests aren't limited to the beautiful game. Hailing from Jharkhand, Dhoni also invested in his home region's hockey team, becoming a co-owner of the Ranchi Rays in the Hockey India League. The team, formerly known as the Ranchi Rhinos, even won the tournament in 2015, adding another trophy to Dhoni's diverse cabinet. He has also been linked to ownership in motorsports with the Mahi Racing Team India.
Sachin Tendulkar: The ISL Pioneer
When the Indian Super League was conceived, it needed star power to capture the nation's imagination. Sachin Tendulkar provided just that, becoming one of the league's most prominent early investors as a co-owner of the Kerala Blasters FC in 2014. Named after his own 'Master Blaster' moniker, the team quickly developed one of the most passionate fan bases in the league, regularly leading attendance figures. Tendulkar was deeply involved with the team, initially owning a 40 percent stake. In 2016, a consortium including Telugu film stars Chiranjeevi and Akkineni Nagarjuna joined as co-owners, with Tendulkar retaining a significant stake. However, in 2018, ahead of the league's fifth season, Tendulkar sold his remaining 20 percent stake in the club to his fellow co-owners, ending his direct financial involvement with the franchise.
Sourav Ganguly: A Football Connection with a Twist
Sourav Ganguly, a lifelong football enthusiast and self-professed fan of Mohun Bagan, also stepped into the world of sports ownership. He was a co-owner and director of the ISL team Atlético de Kolkata (ATK), which later merged with his beloved Mohun Bagan to become ATK Mohun Bagan. Ganguly played a key role in the formation of the club and its success. However, his ownership journey took a turn due to conflict of interest concerns. When the RPSG Group, the majority owner of ATK Mohun Bagan, successfully bid for the Lucknow IPL franchise, Ganguly's position as the BCCI President created a potential conflict. To adhere to regulations, he stepped down from his role as a director on the ATK Mohun Bagan board in October 2021. Although reports in late 2022 suggested he might return as a director after his BCCI tenure, his story highlights the complex regulations that high-profile administrators must navigate.
