Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is the most popular kabaddi league in the world.
Founded in 2014, Pro Kabaddi is the second most watched sports league in India after the Indian T20 League.
The inception of PKL was influenced by the popularity of the kabaddi tournament at the 2006 Asian Games while the format was inspired by the popular Indian T20 League.
Since 2014, there have been seven different champions. Patna Pirates are the most successful team in the league with three titles followed by Jaipur Pink Panthers with two titles.
The likes of U Mumba, Bengaluru Bulls, Bengal Warriorz, Dabang Delhi K.C. and Puneri Paltan have clinched the title once each.
Here’s a look at the team owners of the various franchises. Get Pro Kabaddi owners list: Know who owns which team
Pro Kabaddi owners
Bengal Warriorz
Pro Kabaddi Season 7 champions Bengal Warriorz are owned by Capri Sports, the official sports arm of Capri Global Holdings. The sports and recreation company, Capri Sports, has an existing portfolio across sports like kabaddi, cricket and Kho Kho. Apart from Kolkata-based Bengal Warriorz, Capri Sports is also associated with UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League, Sharjah Warriors in the International League T20 and Rajasthan Warriors in the Ultimate Kho Kho. Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar is also the co-owner of the team.
Bengaluru Bulls
Pro Kabaddi Season 6 winners Bengaluru Bulls are owned by a construction company named WL League Pvt. Ltd. Based in Hyderabad, WL League Pvt. Ltd. is an 11-year-old construction company that specialises in repairing buildings and completing half-finished houses. Bengaluru Bulls were previously owned by Kosmik Sport League Private Limited, which was engaged in the events And entertainment industry.
Dabang Delhi K.C.
Doit Sports Management (india) Private Limited acquired ownership of Dabang Delhi K.C.. The PKL Season 8 winner Dabang Delhi is owned by Radha Kapoor Khanna, the eldest daughter of former Yes Bank MD and CEO Rana Kapoor. Radha Kapoor Khanna, who is currently the only female owner in PKL, also owns the Dabang Mumbai Hockey Club and the Dabang Delhi Table Tennis Club.
Gujarat Giants
Two-time PKL finalists Gujarat Giants are owned by Adani Sportsline, the sports arm of the Adani Group. Adani Sportsline owns numerous sports teams across various leagues. Under the moniker ‘Gujarat Giants’, it owns teams in the Women’s Premier League, Pro Kabaddi League, Ultimate Kho Kho League and Legends League Cricket. It also acquired Gulf Giants that compete in the International League T20.
Haryana Steelers
PKL Season 10 finalist Haryana Steelers are owned by Indian multinational conglomerate JSW Group. Founded by Om Prakash Jindal and currently led by Sajjan Jindal, JSW Group has a diverse business portfolio including steel, energy, infrastructure, cement, automotive and paints. Apart from Haryana Steelers, JSW Group is also associated with Delhi Capitals, Delhi Capitals Women’s Team, Pretoria Capitals and Bengaluru FC.
Jaipur Pink Panthers
Inaugural PKL champion Jaipur Pink Panthers are owned by Bollywood superstar Abhishek Bachchan. Based in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Jaipur Pink Panthers are exclusively managed by GS Entertainment Worldwide which is headed by Mr. Bunty Walia, one of the leading film producers and Sports Entrepreneur and Mr Juspreet Singh Walia. After clinching the inaugural PKL title in 2014, the Panthers won it again in 2022 as they became the second-most successful team in the league after Patna Pirates.
Patna Pirates
Three-time PKL winners Patna Pirates are owned by Gujarat-based businessman Rajesh V Shah, under the non-government company KVS Energy and Sports Limited. Rajesh Shah is a former co-chairman and director at a steel producer company, Mukund Enterprises. As part of the Bajaj Group, Mukund Enterprises is one of India’s leading conglomerates associated in the manufacturing of stainless steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel billets. Under Rajesh V Shah’s ownership, Patna Pirates became the most successful team with three consecutive titles in 2016 and 2017.
Puneri Paltan
Pro Kabaddi Season 10 champion Puneri Paltan are owned by Insurekot Sports Private Limited. Established in 2014, Insurekot Sports aims to contribute towards the betterment of sports in the country. With its best efforts, the company offers a platform to young and talented athletes with top infrastructure, so that they can make their mark in the industry. In PKL Season 9, Puneri finished runners-up after going down to Jaipur Pink Panthers in the final.
Tamil Thalaivas
Chennai-based Tamil Thalaivas are owned by the consortium Magnum Sports Private Limited, the parent company of Indian Super League (ISL) club Kerala Blasters FC. The Magnum Sports Private Limited invests in various sporting ventures, especially in kabaddi and football in the country.
Telugu Titans
Telugu Titans are a franchise of Veera Sports owned by Srinivas Sreeramaneni of Vaya Group, of NED Group and Mahesh Kolli of Greenko Group. Since making their debut in 2014, Telugu Titans have been one of the inconsistent teams in the league with only two playoffs appearances so far.
U Mumba
Pro Kabaddi Season 2 winner U Mumba are owned by Unilazer Ventures Private Limited. Founded by entrepreneur, investor and film producer Ronnie Screwval, Unilazer Ventures Private Limited is a Mumbai-based private equity and venture capital firm specialised in early and late-stage investments
UP Yoddhas
Lucknow-based UP Yoddhas was acquired by GMR Group in 2017. Headquartered in New Delhi, GMR Group is an Indian multinational conglomerate with several companies including GMR Infrastructure, GMR Energy, GMR Airports and GMR Enterprises. Furthermore, GMR Group forayed into sports by acquiring stake in Indian T20 League side Delhi Capitals and later UP Yoddhas
Photo credit: Imago
