The World Bowling League (WBL) Wednesday announced cricketing icon Virat Kohli as a strategic investor in the league, “igniting a bold new chapter to elevate the sport of bowling”.
WBL recently announced MLB superstar and 3-time World Series champion Mookie Betts’ Team OMG as the first franchise in the league.
The World Bowling League isn’t just about strikes and spares — it’s a revolution. With modernized gameplay, mixed-gender teams, and electrifying events at iconic global venues, the league is shattering the mold of traditional bowling alleys.
High-energy competitions are aimed to transform bowling into a mainstream spectator sport like never before. At its core, the WBL is a stage for athletes to shine, showcasing the skill and grit behind every roll on lanes where no two are ever the same.
Virat said: “I started bowling when I was 11 years old, spinning the ball by 12. It is evident how popular the sport is while being underappreciated as a business proposition.
“Adi K Mishra’s vision to redefine bowling is unique, and after our success with Team Blue Rising in the E1 series, I’m thrilled to join the WBL as an investor and partner.”
Virat’s passion and influence as the third-most followed athlete on Instagram — behind only Ronaldo and Messi — amplifies WBL’s mission to inspire a new generation.
Adi K. Mishra, founder and CEO of League Sports Co., which owns and operates WBL, said: “Elite-level bowling is a world of intricate challenges — from lanes with unique topographies and thousands of 3D-printed oil patterns to balls that react differently with every roll.
“When I discovered Virat is also a bowler, it was exciting to align on this new-age vision for the sport. Virat’s relentless drive for sports mirrors our own. Every week, we uncover more about bowling’s global depth and fascinating history – it’s a sleeping giant we’re ready to awaken,” Mishra added.
With Team OMG, owned by LA Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts, already setting the tone, the WBL will soon announce more franchises, each poised to carve out a distinct identity, to create a cultural force around the sport of bowling.
