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This article was first published 10 years ago

10 Bollywood celebrities who own Sports teams

Last updated on: April 08, 2014 15:02 IST

Image: Preity Zinta
Photographs: BCCI Rediff Sports Desk

The latest buzz is Salman Khan owning a stake in an Indian Premiere League (IPL) team.

Salman's brother Sohail Khan already owns a cricket team, Mumbai Heroes, which plays in Celebrity Cricket League (CCL), and if reports are to be believed, Bollywood's biggest star might just join the bandwagon. 

Also, there are reports that Amitabh Bachchan is keen on buying a team in the Kabaddi Premier League (KPL). 

Even as we wait to see if these moves materialize, let’s take a look at the other B-Town celebrities who have sporting interests that go alongside their respective careers.

Preity Zinta

Preity Zinta is been omnipresent in the cricket circle since 2008.

Along with ex-boyfriend Ness Wadia, the bubbly actress is co-owner of Indian Premier League franchise Kings XI Punjab.

While the team has had topsy-turvy fortunes thus far, there's been no lack of enthusiasm from Preity.

Having made some good buys at the auction this year, Kings XI might just make their owner happy this season.

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10 Bollywood celebrities who own Sports teams

Image: Shah Rukh Khan
Photographs: Ritam Banerjee-IPL 2010/IPL via Getty Images

Shah Rukh Khan

His company, Red Chillies Entertainment, owns the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise in the Indian Premier League.

SRK is keenly involved in the team right from its inception and it is largely due to his efforts that the franchise, after three forgettable years, emerged triumphant in the fifth edition of the cash-rich T20 extravaganza.

Besides, ‘King Khan’ is keen on buying stake in an I-League team. Will it be Goa’s four-time champions Dempo or a Kolkata club?

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10 Bollywood celebrities who own Sports teams

Image: Shilpa Shetty
Photographs: BCCI

Shilpa Shetty

The item number specialist has a sporting side as well. 

In February 2009, the actress and her husband, Raj Kundra, bought a 12 per cent stake in Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals.

The champions of the inaugural edition have been mired in controversy off-the-field, but have done quite well on it.

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10 Bollywood celebrities who own Sports teams

Image: Juhi Chawla
Photographs: BCCI

Juhi Chawla

She also happens to be a co-wner of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise.

Juhi Chawla, and her husband Jay Mehta, co-own the Kolkata team along with SRK's company.

The bubbly actress is keenly involved in matters of the team from the very beginning.

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10 Bollywood celebrities who own Sports teams

Image: John Abraham
Photographs: Sanjay Sawant/Rediff.com

John Abraham

John Abraham is an avid sports enthusiast. 

He's the brand ambassador for the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon for some years now. And now he owns a hockey team. 

The 41-year-old actor is the co-owner and brand ambassador for the Delhi Waveriders, the franchise that beat Punjab Warriors to win the Hockey India League this year.

John is also contemplating coming out with his own biking team as well.

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10 Bollywood celebrities who own Sports teams

Image: Sanjay Dutt
Photographs: Reuters

Sanjay Dutt

The ‘Deadly Dutt’ is part of Raj Kundra's other venture. 

The duo, in January 2012, launched India's first professionally organized mixed martial arts fighting event, the Super Fight League.

Despite Dutt and Kundra's legal problems, the initiative has moved ahead and London bronze medallist MC Mary Kom has been appointed SFL's brand ambassador.

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10 Bollywood celebrities who own Sports teams

Image: Akkineni Nagarjuna in Sri Jagadhguru Aadhi Shankara

Akkineni Nagarjuna

The south superstar co-owns a motorsport team.

And he has no less than India’s cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for company. 

N-Motorsport partners with Rhiti MSD to power Asia’s first super motorbike racing team (Mahi Racing Team India) for the 600cc class FIM Superbike World Championship. 

N-Motorsport is promoted by Nagarjuna and son, Naga Chaitanya.

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10 Bollywood celebrities who own Sports teams

Image: Mithun Chakraborty

Mithun Chakraborty

The Bengali superstar was the co-owner of Royal Bengal Tigers, a franchise in the now defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL).

Besides, Mithunda is also the co-owner of BengalFootballAcademy, aimed to promote football talent of the country.

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10 Bollywood celebrities who own Sports teams

Image: Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar

Bollywood's Khiladi has put his energy behind combat sports. 

Expected, one must say. 

Akki has been hosting the annual Akshay Kumar Invitational Kudo (Judo and Karate) tournament since 2009.

10 Bollywood celebrities who own Sports teams

Image: Randeep Hooda
Photographs: March 2013 issue of Hi! BLITZ

Randeep Hooda has a passion for horses. He owns five and recently bought a polo team.

The actor returned from the just-concluded National Equestrian Championships with a bagful of medals -- two gold, one silver and two bronze, to be precise.

Hooda has appeared in films like Madur Bhandarkar's Heroine, Milan Luthria's Once Upon A Time in Mumbai and Imtiaz Ali's Highway recently.

He is presently shooting for Sajid Nadiadwala's directorial debut Kick, top-lining Salman Khan.