Bowling, a sport deeply ingrained in pop culture—from The Big Lebowski and The Simpsons to Justin Bieber’s “Baby”—has captivated over 100 million enthusiasts around the globe. More than just a recreational activity, bowling unites families, friends, and celebrities. Even former U.S. President Nixon had bowling lanes installed in the White House, underscoring its cultural appeal. Now, bowling is entering a new era, backed by one of the world’s biggest sporting icons.
The World Bowling League (WBL) proudly welcomes cricket legend Virat Kohli as a strategic investor, ushering in a bold new chapter for the sport. This major move follows the announcement of MLB superstar and 3-time World Series champion Mookie Betts’ Team OMG as the league’s first official franchise .With this high-profile collaboration, WBL signals a bold evolution aimed at transforming bowling into a high-octane, global spectator sport.
The WBL is not just modernizing bowling—it’s reimagining it. With high-octane events, mixed-gender teams, and global venues, the league is turning bowling into a mainstream, adrenaline-fueled spectator sport. Each match showcases the intensity, skill, and unpredictability of professional bowling, with lanes offering ever-changing challenges and precision-demanding conditions.
“I started bowling when I was 11 years old, spinning the ball by 12,” Kohli shared. “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.”
With over 260 million Instagram followers, Virat Kohli is the third-most followed athlete globally—just behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. His influence and passion make him an ideal ambassador for the WBL’s mission to reach new audiences and inspire a fresh wave of engagement with the sport.
Adi K. Mishra, Founder and CEO of League Sports Co., added: “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.”
As Team OMG, led by LA Dodgers’ Mookie Betts, sets the precedent for innovation and excellence, the WBL is set to announce additional franchises, each designed to reflect diverse cultural identities and redefine how the world sees bowling.
