Salman Khan Could Have Owned an IPL Team; Here’s Why He Said No

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has revealed why he never became the owner of an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, despite getting the chance when the league launched in 2008.

The IPL, which began in 2008, quickly grew into the biggest cricket tournament in the world, attracting top cricketers and celebrity owners. Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla bought Kolkata Knight Riders, while Preity Zinta became co-owner of Punjab Kings.

Salman Opens Up On IPL Offer

At a recent event in Mumbai, the 59-year-old actor was asked if he had ever considered owning a team like other Bollywood stars. Salman first responded with a joke: “IPL ke liye too old ho gaye hum” (I’m too old to buy an IPL team now).

He then revealed that the opportunity had indeed come his way when the tournament first started. “The IPL offer was made earlier, but I didn’t accept it,” Salman said. He added that he does not regret the decision: “It’s not like I regret it. I’m happy.”

From IPL to ISPL

While he passed on the IPL, Salman did step into cricket ownership by buying the New Delhi franchise in the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), a T10 tennis ball cricket tournament featuring several Bollywood stars such as Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Ram Charan, and Amitabh Bachchan.

The second ISPL season ended earlier this year, with Bachchan’s Majhi Mumbai defeating Akshay Kumar’s Srinagar Ke Veer in a thrilling final.

Salman, whose recent release Sikandar with Rashmika Mandanna made headlines earlier this year, is now busy filming Battle of Galwan, based on the 2020 India-China border clash.