From Bollywood Star to Boardroom Winner: How Preity Zinta’s ₹35 Crore Bet on IPL Turned into ₹350 Crore Goldmine

In a stunning twist of fate during the IPL 2025 finale, while the Punjab Kings walked off the pitch after a tough defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore, their co-owner Preity Zinta had reasons to smile—off the field. The scoreboard may not have favored her team, but financially, she pulled off a massive victory that day.

What started as a bold ₹35 crore investment back in 2008 has now skyrocketed to a jaw-dropping ₹350 crore—multiplying her money tenfold without her even picking up a bat. Here’s how this Bollywood diva-turned-business maven pulled off one of the smartest plays in IPL history.

A Bold Leap in 2008 Becomes a Billionaire Move

When the Indian Premier League launched in 2008, cricket was entering unfamiliar commercial territory. Many were skeptical. But Preity Zinta wasn’t. She jumped in, investing ₹35 crore to acquire approximately 23% ownership in Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab). At the time, it was considered a risky bet—but Zinta was thinking long-term.

Fast forward to 2025, and that long-term vision has paid off big time. With the IPL’s brand value exploding over the years, the Punjab Kings franchise has grown into a sporting giant. By 2022, the team was valued at a staggering $925 million (over ₹7,000 crore). Based on that valuation, Zinta’s stake is now estimated to be worth around ₹350 crore.

IPL Profits Soar: The Real Game Is Off the Field

In 2024 alone, the franchise reported ₹664 crore in revenue and ₹252 crore in profits. While fans tracked runs and wickets, stakeholders like Zinta quietly watched their wealth multiply through media deals, sponsorships, and skyrocketing brand valuations.

The real windfall came through the IPL’s blockbuster 2022 media rights deal, which reshaped the league’s financial landscape. With broadcasting revenues soaring, the value of each team—and Zinta’s stake—grew exponentially. Each game played wasn’t just a match; it was a profit opportunity.

More Than Glamour: Preity’s Business Acumen Shines

While Zinta may be known for her unforgettable performances on screen, her off-screen moves have been just as impactful. Unlike many passive investors, she became the face of the Punjab Kings franchise—cheering from the sidelines, showing up for auctions, and actively participating in branding and marketing decisions. Her visibility and dedication played a major role in shaping the team’s public image and credibility.

Over the years, she’s also diversified her income streams. Apart from co-owning the franchise, she runs her own production house, commands up to ₹2 crore per endorsement deal, and has made smart moves in the real estate sector. Her properties span the globe—from a luxurious residence in Beverly Hills, California (where she now lives with her husband Gene Goodenough and their two children), to a ₹17 crore flat in Mumbai’s upscale Pali Hill, and a lavish home in Shimla.

Her garage too mirrors her success—stacked with high-end vehicles including Mercedes-Benz and BMW models.

Punjab Kings is no longer just an IPL team. The franchise has extended its footprint into international leagues like the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), pushing its brand beyond Indian shores. As the team grows globally, so does the value of Zinta’s equity. Her early decision to invest in a cricket team is now looking more like a long-term strategy to build a transnational sports empire.

It wasn’t a film, but this has all the ingredients of a Bollywood blockbuster—a gutsy move, dramatic highs and lows, and an ultimate triumph. Zinta’s 2008 decision to put ₹35 crore into an unproven cricket league wasn’t just brave—it was business brilliance.

Her story is proof that success isn’t always found in the spotlight. Sometimes, it’s found in a boardroom, a balance sheet, and a belief in a game that millions love. While the Punjab Kings may have lost the final, their co-owner walked away with something far more lasting—a seat at the table of India’s most successful sports investors.