Just days after winning their maiden IPL title in 18 years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) could be heading for a major ownership shake-up. British liquor giant Diageo, through United Spirits Ltd., is reportedly exploring a deal to sell part or all of its stake in RCB—possibly valuing the franchise at a whopping ₹17,000 crore (about $2 billion), according to a Bloomberg report.
RCB isn’t just a cricket team—it’s an emotion. For millions, it’s about Virat Kohli’s loyalty, the heartbreaks, the memes, and now, finally, the glory. But the sale might usher in big changes.
New owners could mean new management, fresh strategies, or even a shift in how the team connects with its massive fanbase—especially now that RCB is the most followed IPL team on Instagram with nearly 22 million followers.
Why is Diageo selling now?
A few reasons stack up. One, India’s health ministry has been cracking down on how alcohol brands associate with cricket. Diageo, unable to advertise booze directly, promotes soft drinks through players.
But pressure is mounting. Two, the value of RCB has skyrocketed after the 2025 win—making it the perfect time to cash in. And let’s be honest: ₹17,000 crore could fund a small country (or at least a few boardrooms full of executives).
RCB was initially bought by Vijay Mallya in 2008 for $111.6 million. After his financial downfall, Diageo took over in 2016. Since then, RCB went from “trophyless underachievers” to IPL champions. Talk about a redemption arc.
RCB’s recent victory party turned tragic when a stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium killed 11 fans. Nikhil Sosale, RCB’s Head of Marketing, was arrested. His lawyers claim it was a political arrest ordered by Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah. The Karnataka High Court isn’t fully convinced yet—bail has been denied unless due process was violated.
Who might buy RCB?
Names like Reliance, Adani, or the Tata Group are often floated. Deep-pocketed private equity firms and cricket-crazy billionaires are also potential buyers. With social media clout, brand value, and a championship squad—RCB is hot property.
The big question:
Will a change in ownership hurt RCB’s momentum—or supercharge it? Fans will hope it’s the latter. But with every headline like this, the team feels a little less like “ours” and a little more like a corporate asset.
Still, if someone’s buying RCB, they better come with money, vision—and some serious cricketing karma.
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