Who Is the Owner of KKR?

The Kolkata Knight Riders are one of the most glamorous and successful franchises in the Indian Premier League, and their ownership is as star-studded as their on-field product. KKR is owned by Knight Riders Sports Private Limited, a joint venture between Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment and the Mehta Group, led by actress Juhi Chawla and her husband, businessman Jay Mehta.

This ownership group has been in place since the franchise was founded in January 2008, making it one of the most stable ownership structures in the IPL. That stability has been a defining feature of the franchise’s identity over nearly two decades.

The Ownership Split

The ownership of KKR is divided between two partners. Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment holds a 55 percent stake in the franchise, while the Mehta Group, represented by Juhi Chawla and Jay Mehta, owns the remaining 45 percent. Day-to-day operations are overseen by CEO Venky Mysore, who has been the public face of the franchise’s management for many years.

Shah Rukh Khan is the face of the franchise. His presence at Eden Gardens, his interactions with fans, and his emotional investment in the team’s fortunes have made him synonymous with KKR. His children, Aryan and Suhana, have also become involved in recent years, attending IPL auctions and representing the next generation of the family’s association with the team.

How KKR Was Bought

When the IPL’s original eight franchises were auctioned in early 2008, the Kolkata franchise was bought by the Red Chillies-Mehta Group consortium for around 75 million US dollars, roughly 298 crore rupees at the time. It was the seventh-costliest of the eight original teams.

The partnership brought together Bollywood glamour and serious business acumen. Shah Rukh Khan provided the star power and the emotional connection with fans, while Jay Mehta’s Mehta Group brought corporate discipline and operational expertise. Juhi Chawla, one of the biggest stars of 1990s Hindi cinema, bridged both worlds.

The Mehta Group’s Role

While Shah Rukh Khan gets most of the attention, the Mehta Group’s contribution has been crucial. Jay Mehta is a businessman with interests spanning engineering and manufacturing, and his group’s steady hand has helped KKR become one of the best-run franchises in the league. Juhi Chawla is a regular presence at matches and auctions, and their daughter Janhavi Mehta has also been spotted at franchise events, showing the family’s deep involvement.

The Mehta Group’s 45 percent stake makes it far more than a silent partner. The group has been involved in key decisions throughout the franchise’s history, from auction strategy to the development of the Knight Riders’ global brand, which now includes teams in the Caribbean Premier League, Major League Cricket in the United States, and the UAE’s ILT20.

Three IPL Titles Under This Ownership

Under this ownership, KKR have won the IPL three times: in 2012, 2014 and 2024. The first two titles came under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir, who transformed the franchise from underachievers into champions. The 2024 title, won a decade after the second, came with Shreyas Iyer as captain and confirmed KKR’s status as one of the league’s elite franchises.

The ownership’s patience has been notable. KKR endured difficult seasons, including a much-criticised phase in the early 2010s, but the owners backed their management and their long-term vision rather than chasing short-term fixes. That patience was rewarded with sustained success.

Recent Ownership Developments

In late 2025, reports emerged that the Mehta Group was exploring the sale of a small minority stake in the franchise, with investment bank Nomura appointed as the sell-side advisor. Unlike the full ownership changes seen at some other franchises, this was described as a partial stake sale aimed at unlocking value, with no expected impact on the control or decision-making structure of the team.

Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment was not reported to be selling any of its 55 percent holding. As of the 2026 season, the ownership structure remains unchanged, with the franchise continuing under the same partnership that has guided it since 2008.

KKR’s Global Knight Riders Brand

One of the ownership group’s smartest moves has been building the Knight Riders into a global brand. Beyond the IPL team, the group owns the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League, the Los Angeles Knight Riders in Major League Cricket, and the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20. This global network allows the franchise to scout talent worldwide, develop young players across leagues, and build a year-round commercial operation.

Few IPL ownership groups have executed a global strategy as successfully. The Knight Riders brand is now recognised far beyond Kolkata, and the group’s early investment in overseas leagues has paid rich dividends as T20 cricket has expanded worldwide.

The Eden Gardens Connection

KKR’s home ground is Eden Gardens in Kolkata, one of the most iconic cricket stadiums in the world. The ownership group has worked closely with the Cricket Association of Bengal to make Eden Gardens a fortress, and the atmosphere at KKR home games, with tens of thousands of fans in purple and gold, is among the best in the IPL.

Shah Rukh Khan’s relationship with the Kolkata fans is legendary. His post-match laps of honour at Eden Gardens, win or lose, have become a beloved tradition, and the bond between the owner, the team and the city is one of the great stories of the IPL.

The connection runs deeper than geography. Shah Rukh Khan’s famous post-match laps of honour at Eden Gardens, win or lose, have become a beloved IPL tradition, and the sight of tens of thousands of fans staying back to applaud their owner captures everything special about the franchise’s bond with Kolkata.

Who is the owner of KKR?

Kolkata Knight Riders are owned by Knight Riders Sports Private Limited, a joint venture between Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment (55 percent) and the Mehta Group of Juhi Chawla and Jay Mehta (45 percent).

What is Shah Rukh Khan’s stake in KKR?

Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment holds a 55 percent stake in Kolkata Knight Riders. He is the face of the franchise and its most visible owner.

How much was KKR bought for?

The Kolkata franchise was bought for around 75 million US dollars (about 298 crore rupees at the time) during the original IPL franchise auction in early 2008.

How many IPL titles has KKR won?

Kolkata Knight Riders have won three IPL titles: in 2012, 2014 and 2024, all under the current ownership group.

Is KKR being sold?

In late 2025, reports said the Mehta Group was exploring the sale of a small minority stake with Nomura as advisor. There has been no change to the overall ownership or control of the franchise.

Who is the CEO of KKR?

Venky Mysore is the CEO and Managing Director of Kolkata Knight Riders and has overseen the franchise’s operations for many years.