Who owns which IPL team and what are their business empires?


IPL 2023 Winner

The Indian Premier League (IPL) features a wide array of team owners, from business magnates to celebrities and international corporations. Below is an overview of who owns each IPL team and a glimpse into their respective business empires and industries:

1. Mumbai Indians

  • Owner: Reliance Industries (Mukesh Ambani)

  • Business Empire:

    • Reliance Industries is one of the largest conglomerates in India, with interests spanning petrochemicals, refining, oil & gas exploration, retail, telecommunications, and more.

    • Jio, the telecommunications arm of Reliance, revolutionized the Indian telecom sector by offering affordable internet services, which has become a major revenue driver for the company.

    • The group is also heavily invested in retail (Reliance Retail) and media through Network18, which operates several news and entertainment channels.

2. Chennai Super Kings

  • Owner: Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd. (N. Srinivasan)

  • Business Empire:

    • N. Srinivasan is the Managing Director of India Cements, one of India's largest cement manufacturers.

    • He is also a former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

    • India Cements is a major player in the construction and infrastructure industry in India, and Srinivasan's company also has a strong presence in the sports sector, having acquired the Chennai Super Kings IPL franchise in 2008.

3. Royal Challengers Bangalore

  • Owner: United Spirits (Vijay Mallya)

  • Business Empire:

    • Vijay Mallya, the former owner of Kingfisher Airlines and United Breweries Group, is one of India’s most famous businessmen. His company, United Breweries, is best known for the Kingfisher beer brand.

    • Mallya's business empire extends to beverages, real estate, and aviation, though his reputation has been marred by legal issues and allegations related to financial fraud.

    • The United Spirits subsidiary, which owns Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), was acquired by Diageo, a global alcoholic beverages giant.

4. Kolkata Knight Riders

  • Owner: Red Chillies Entertainment (Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, Jay Mehta)

  • Business Empire:

    • The team is co-owned by Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, actress Juhi Chawla, and her husband Jay Mehta.

    • Red Chillies Entertainment is a production company founded by Shahrukh Khan, involved in film production, distribution, and VFX.

    • Shahrukh Khan is one of the most successful film stars in India, with a global fan following and various business ventures including Khan's production house, Khan's sports investments, and his brand Knight Riders.

    • Jay Mehta is a prominent industrialist with a stake in various sectors including cement, plastics, and real estate through his company Mehta Group.

5. Delhi Capitals

  • Owner: GMR Group and JSW Group

  • Business Empire:

    • GMR Group is an Indian infrastructure company, primarily involved in the development of airports, roads, power plants, and ports. The company is known for building the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.

    • JSW Group, led by Sajjan Jindal, is one of India’s largest conglomerates, with interests in steel manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, and sports. It owns the JSW Steel and is a significant player in the Indian economy, investing heavily in infrastructure and industrial projects.

6. Rajasthan Royals

  • Owner: Emerging Media (Shilpa Shetty, Raj Kundra)

  • Business Empire:

    • Raj Kundra is a British-Indian businessman with stakes in several ventures, including film production, technology, and e-commerce. He is also known for his association with Shilpa Shetty, a Bollywood actress who is a co-owner of Rajasthan Royals.

    • Kundra previously owned the British firm Indian Premier League Ltd, but his business interests also span to fitness, mobile apps, and online gaming.

    • The franchise has had changes in ownership over the years but continues to thrive as a major name in the IPL.

7. Sunrisers Hyderabad

  • Owner: Sun TV Network (Kalanithi Maran)

  • Business Empire:

    • Sun TV Network is one of India’s largest media conglomerates, founded by Kalanithi Maran. The company owns a large number of regional television channels, and FM radio stations.

    • Maran is known for his success in the media and entertainment sectors. Sun TV Network is also involved in film production and distribution.

    • The group has a strong presence in southern India, and Maran’s influence extends to sectors like telecom and broadcasting.

8. Punjab Kings

  • Owner: Kochi Group (Ness Wadia, Preity Zinta, and others)

  • Business Empire:

    • Ness Wadia is the heir to the Wadia Group, one of India's oldest and most respected business families. The group has a diverse portfolio, including textiles (Bombay Dyeing), real estate, and aviation (through GoAir).

    • Preity Zinta, a Bollywood actress, is a co-owner of the team and brings her celebrity status to the team, helping drive marketing and brand value.

    • The Wadia Group also has a stake in the Aviation, Real Estate, and Consumer Goods sectors.

9. Kolkata Knight Riders (Second Team)

  • Owner: Shahrukh Khan (same as KKR), alongside Jay Mehta and Juhi Chawla.

  • Business Empire:

    • Same as the original Kolkata Knight Riders team. The business empire of Shahrukh Khan and Juhi Chawla includes both their film and production interests.

10. Lucknow Super Giants

  • Owner: RPSG Group (Sanjiv Goenka)

  • Business Empire:

    • Sanjiv Goenka is the chairman of the RPSG Group, a conglomerate with interests in power, infrastructure, retail, FMCG, and media.

    • The Goenka family is heavily involved in various industries, including real estate, energy, and sports. The group also owns several Indian football clubs.

11. Gujarat Titans

  • Owner: CVC Capital Partners

  • Business Empire:

    • CVC Capital Partners is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Europe. The firm manages assets across a variety of industries, including finance, technology, and sports. CVC is a prominent player in global private equity, with investments in companies across multiple sectors.

    • CVC bought the Gujarat Titans IPL franchise in 2021, further expanding its portfolio in sports investments.

Conclusion:

The IPL has attracted a diverse group of owners, from business magnates and industrialists to Bollywood celebrities and global investment firms. Each owner brings their unique business acumen, contributing not only to the team’s success on the field but also shaping the league’s commercial and marketing strategies. The cross-industry involvement helps the IPL expand its reach and revenue across various sectors, making it a global brand.

If you want specific details on one of the owners or their business ventures, let me know!