100 of the Most Influential Women in Sport >> Boardroom & Administration

Nita Ambani, India

Owner of the Mumbai Indians

Eleven years ago, Nita Ambani was bidding to become the owner of an IPL franchise. Since then, the Mumbai Indians have won three IPL trophies – and Ambani has become the most influential person in Indian sport. Buying a cricket franchise in India is one thing, but establishing a football league? Ambani founded the Indian Super League in 2014, the most significant development in modern Indian football. It’s seen football’s popularity in India skyrocket – just like she intended. Ambani, and the others in charge of Indian football, have the lofty goal of seeing India qualify for the 2026 World Cup. It’s not impossible: thanks in part to the ISL, the Indian team has shot up the rankings in the last year. But Ambani has even grander dreams. She’s a member of the International Olympic Committee, a role that comes with a holy grail: bringing the summer Olympics to India in 2032. If she can pull that off, the legacy Ambani will leave in Indian sport will be unmatched.

– Named 9th in Forbes’ inaugural list of the most powerful women in sport (2018).

– Ambani’s Reliance Foundation won the prestigious National Sports Award in 2017.

– The Reliance Foundation Youth Sports initiative has introduced sport to 4 million children in the last two years.

Did you know…

Nita Ambani is the first woman from India to be elected to the International Olympic Committee.

“Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people’s physical fitness and mental prowess.” – Nita Ambani

Instagram: nitaambani5