Business · India Bureau
Emami Group Exits East Bengal Investment Shortly After Durand Cup Win
Emami Group has ended its majority ownership of Indian Super League club East Bengal just days after the team's Durand Cup victory. The exit marks the end of the conglomerate's three-year association with the Kolkata-based football club.
LSN India ·
Emami Group has divested its majority stake in East Bengal FC, concluding its investment in the Indian Super League club merely days following the team's triumph in the prestigious Durand Cup tournament. The FMCG and pharmaceuticals conglomerate had acquired a 77% majority stake in East Bengal in 2022, marking a significant foray into professional football ownership.
The timing of the exit, coming so soon after East Bengal's recent success on the pitch, has raised questions about the group's future strategic direction. The club had been undergoing restructuring under Emami's ownership, with efforts to strengthen its competitive position in Indian football.
Details regarding the terms of the exit and the identity of the new stakeholders remain unclear at this stage. The departure represents a notable shift in the ownership landscape of Indian football, as major corporate investors continue to recalibrate their involvement in the sector.
East Bengal, one of India's most historically significant football clubs, will now face the challenge of maintaining momentum under new ownership while building on the recent Durand Cup success. The club's management will need to address continuity in its operations and long-term vision for competitive football.