Update: An Etihad spokesperson has since then issued a statement to Sportskeeda saying “Etihad Airways has rejected a report that the airline is in talks to take over the Indian football club, Mohun Bagan. There is no truth in this report whatsoever."
Mohun Bagan, who have been in severe financial distress in recent times, is in talks with Etihad Airways for a potential takeover of the club. Sportskeeda sources understand that the UAE-based airline giant have shown interest in acquiring the 127-year-old club after Mohun Bagan lost their funding from the UB group.
Also Read: 5 players to watch out for in Bengaluru FC vs Tampines Rovers
Etihad Airways is the second largest airline in the United Arab Emirates, operating more than 1000 flights per week and are shirt sponsors of several football clubs including Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Also Read: India's squad for U-16 AFC Championship announced
Mohun Bagan have been in the look out for a potential buyer since their funding took a steep dip after Diageo took control of Vijay Mallya-owned United Spirits in 2014. The Indian football giant, who used to receive around 5 crores in sponsorship from United Spirits until 2014, could not convince Diageo to continue the funding and since then has been paralysed for the lack of money.
If the Etihad group were to take over the Mariners, it would come as a relief to both club administrators and fans alike, ending the speculation of the future of the club. Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan is also interested in acquiring the Kolkata-based club, according to Goal.com. In fact, according to Goal sources, the Bollywood Badshah is closest to finalising the deal with the Mariners.
Shah Rukh Khan’s sporting association with Kolkata started in 2008 when the King of Bollywood bought the IPL Kolkata franchise and christened it Kolkata Knight Riders. Since then, KKR have won the IPL twice in 2012 and 2014.
However, his want to own a football club in the nation’s football capital is not unknown to fans. In 2014, SRK had said: "I will say something which is unfortunate and sad for me. I really wanted to be a part of the Indian Super League (ISL) and I wanted to own a football team but there was no way that I would have got Kolkata and if I can't have Kolkata I can't have any other city."
That dream might well become true for SRK now with Goal.com understanding that the Red Chillies Entertainment have already had several meeting with the Mohun Bagan authorities over the acquisition and are seemingly the closest in closing the deal.
It is also understood that French sports management company, Lagardere group is interested in the acquisition of the legendary Indian football club. With so many links to potential patrons, Mohun Bagan should be hopeful that their financial duress will finally come to a halt soon.
