Royal Challengers Bengaluru up for sale?

United Spirits Limited (USL), the Diageo-owned company that controls the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise, has reportedly put the Indian Premier League (IPL) team up for sale. 

As per media reports, billionaire Adar Poonawalla, chief executive officer of the Serum Institute of India, has emerged as the frontrunner to acquire USL’s entire stake in the franchise.

Reports suggest that USL, a subsidiary of British alcoholic beverage giant Diageo, is seeking a valuation of around 2 billion dollars, or nearly ₹17,762 crore, for RCB. If the deal goes through, it would place the franchise among the most valuable sporting organisations globally.

Media reports indicate that global investment bank Citi has been appointed as the transaction advisor to oversee the sale. RCB, which recently won its maiden IPL title, also enjoys one of the strongest fan bases in the league, making it a highly attractive investment.

Adding to the buzz, former IPL chairman Lalit Modi noted in a post on X that the owners had “finally decided to take it off their balance sheet and sell it.” He also suggested that the sale could “set a new record valuation” and become the “new floor price for all teams,” while predicting strong interest from global funds and sovereign investors.

The sale is expected to attract major domestic and international investors looking to include IPL franchises in their India strategy.

“I am sure one of the big global funds or a sovereign fund would desperately like to have them as part of their investment strategy and India strategy. There can be no better investment opportunity I could think of then this one. Good luck to whoever can get their hands on to it,” added Modi in the tweet.”

He further believes the final price could reinforce the league’s status as one of the fastest-growing and most valuable sporting leagues globally.

Modi’s tweet said, “It definitely will set a new record valuation which will just go to show that IPL is the not only the fastest growing global sporting league but also the most valuable. That new price that #rcb sets will become the new floor price for all teams. Good luck to all. I am sure #citibank will do a great job auctioning the team to prospective buyers.”

RCB’s maiden IPL title in 2025 has significantly enhanced the team’s profile. Long celebrated as one of the league’s most popular and marketable franchises, the team had never won the championship until this season. The triumph has energised its vast fanbase and strengthened its commercial value.