Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan is "understood to be in talks" with the Indian Super League to buy a Kolkata-based franchise, according to Rao & Mergulhao of the TIMES OF INDIA. Khan is co-owner of Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders and "could seize the opportunity when the ISL expands to 10 teams and becomes a top-tier league" in '17. Dempo Sports Club "famously came close to roping in" the actor as a co-owner in '12. Dempo Chair Shrinivas Dempo held several rounds of talks with Khan but the move "fizzled out." Next year, though, "it could be different as Khan prepares to partner" with another football club, East Bengal. Khan has "always made it clear that should he decide to invest into football, it would only be from Kolkata." IMG-Reliance, marketing partners of the All India Football Federation, will reportedly "expand the ISL to 10 teams next season with three existing I-League teams set to move up the ranks." The two new teams "will be chosen based on a set criteria and indications are that apart from Bengaluru -- a new venue -- the ISL will make space for a second franchise from Kolkata" (TIMES OF INDIA, 7/7). The INT'L BUSINESS TIMES' Rajarshi Majumdar reported Remote Project Services Group Chair Sanjiv Goenka already owns Atletico de Kolkata and "it will be interesting to see which club draws the attention" of Khan as he seems to be "interested in trying his hands on Indian football as well." Khan "seemed to have set his eyes on East Bengal," which is one of the most popular clubs in the I-League. While he was promoting his film last year at the club tent, he said that "he has decided to invest on Indian football and it will be from his preferred city and that is Kolkata" (IB TIMES, 7/7).
