Fans of Bengaluru’s popular cricket team, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), are in for a major shock. After an 18-year struggle, the franchise, which won the IPL 2025 this year, is now up for sale.
On Wednesday evening, owner company Diageo officially announced the start of the sale process.
This news is surprising because the decision comes just six months after the IPL win, following a stampede during the victory parade at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Diageo clearly stated in a letter sent to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National
Stock Exchange: “The USL is initiating a strategic review of the investment in its wholly owned subsidiary, RCSPL. RCSPL’s business comprises ownership of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise team that participates in the men’s Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women’s Premier League (WPL) cricket tournaments hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) annually.”
This letter was from United Spirits Limited (USL), Diageo’s Indian subsidiary.
RCB, along with the three-year-old Women’s Premier League (WPL) team, which holds a title, is also under consideration for sale.
Strategic review of owners, but reasons hidden in the background
Rumors about RCB’s ownership have been circulating in IPL circles for several months, especially after the stampede that left several fans injured. There were talks of selling the franchise to avoid legal complications.
Diageo also stated in its disclosure that this process will be completed by March 31, 2026. The BCCI and IPL Governing Council have been fully informed of this.
RCB’s brand value has consistently ranked among the top three, even without a title. Much of the credit for this goes to Virat Kohli, whose presence has captivated fans.
According to a study by Houlihan Lokey Inc., RCB was valued at $269 million.
But now, with Kohli’s career in the twilight and the owners distancing themselves, this decision appears to be deliberate.
Timing of Sale Between IPL Retention and Auction
IPL franchises currently have until November 15th to finalize their retentions, after which the auction will take place. The new buyer will receive the squad selected by the current owners.
Industry experts believe that even if the deal is completed by March 2026, the official change will only occur after the IPL ends, depending on negotiations.
When Vijay Mallya’s UB Group acquired RCB in 2008 for $111.6 million, RCB became the second most expensive franchise after the Mumbai Indians.
Diageo acquired a controlling stake in 2015 and full ownership in 2016. Now this sale can bring a big shakeup not only in IPL but also in the cricket business.
