Just months after lifting their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) may be heading toward a major shake-up — one that could see the franchise changing hands altogether.
United Spirits Ltd (USL), the Indian subsidiary of global beverage giant Diageo, has confirmed that it is conducting a “strategic review” of its investment in RCB, a move that has sparked intense speculation about a potential sale valued at up to $2 billion.
In a formal statement to the Mumbai Stock Exchange, USL’s Chief Executive Officer Praveen Someshwar described the team as “a valuable and strategic asset,” but admitted that RCB was “non-core” to the company’s main business. The review, he added, was part of Diageo’s broader plan to reassess its Indian operations and could conclude as early as March next year.
The decision comes at a dramatic time for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise. After years of heartbreak, they finally clinched their maiden IPL title in June, silencing critics and giving Virat Kohli a coveted IPL medal. But celebrations quickly turned tragic when a deadly stampede during the victory parade in Bengaluru claimed 11 lives and left more than 50 others injured. The incident cast a dark shadow over what should have been the team’s proudest moment.
Whether the tragedy played a part in the sale has not been answered yet, but according to Bloomberg, Diageo is now considering several options — from selling a minority stake to a complete takeover — with insiders suggesting a price tag that could soar to the $2 billion mark, reflecting RCB’s commercial appeal and massive fan base.
Majority ownership changes in the IPL are rare given the scale of investment required and the popularity of the competition. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are among the select few teams to have previously undergone restructuring, when Diageo took over control from Vijay Mallya. An outright controlling sale would mark a new dawn in IPL franchise ownership.
As the review unfolds, RCB fans will be hoping that their team’s long-awaited success isn’t overshadowed by boardroom uncertainty.