Champions RCB up for sale: Reports

Valued at Rs2b, the owners are aiming to cash in on franchise’s long-awaited success

- BY A.K.S. SATISH Sports Editor

Just a week after lifting their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) could be on the verge of a major shake-up — including a possible change in ownership.

According to a report by NDTV, Diageo Plc, the British beverage company that owns RCB through its Indian arm United Spirits Ltd, is exploring a partial or full sale of the franchise. Sources said the discussions come in the wake of the brand’s renewed visibility and market value following the long-awaited title win in 2025 — a breakthrough that ended an 18-year drought.

While there has been no official word on the franchise’s valuation, Bloomberg reported that a full sale could fetch as much as $2 billion (approximately Rs168,340 million). Diageo is said to be in early talks with potential advisers, exploring ways to monetise RCB's success and simplify its global operations.