RCB Up For Sale? Reports Claim Diageo Wants To Sell Its Share In Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Winner of IPL 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), might soon have new ownership. According to the reports, RCB owner Diageo Plc, the British company owning RCB via United Spirits Ltd., is considering selling its share.

Diageo has initiated preliminary discussions with advisers to explore various options, including a complete sale. Although no final decision has been made, the company could potentially value RCB at $2 billion. The news of this potential sale led to a 3.3% increase in United Spirits' shares during Tuesday morning trading, reaching a five-month high.

RCB's First IPL Title and Its Impact

The recent IPL triumph has brought renewed attention to RCB. As one of the original eight franchises since the IPL's inception in 2008, they had never secured a title until now. The victory was celebrated widely, especially by fans of Virat Kohli, one of cricket's most followed athletes.

However, celebrations turned tragic when a stampede occurred at a public event in Bengaluru honouring the team. The incident resulted in at least 11 fatalities due to overcrowding. This tragedy drew criticism from local authorities and raised concerns about event safety and crowd management.

Reasons Behind Diageo's Consideration to Sell

Diageo may be contemplating this sale as part of a broader strategy to streamline its global operations. In its largest market, the US, liquor sales have faced challenges due to tariffs and declining demand for premium products. Selling RCB could help Diageo refocus on its core business by unlocking funds.

Additionally, there is increasing pressure from the government regarding indirect advertising of alcohol and tobacco at sports events like the IPL. While direct advertisements are banned, companies like Diageo have promoted soft drinks using top cricketers. Stricter regulations could impact brand visibility for such companies.

A Team with Rich History

Originally purchased by Vijay Mallya, former owner of Kingfisher Airlines and a key figure in India's liquor industry, RCB came under Diageo's control after Mallya's business empire collapsed. Over time, RCB has become one of the most talked-about teams in the IPL.

This popularity is largely due to star players like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Faf du Plessis. Despite having strong teams over many seasons, RCB only clinched their first title this year. The IPL itself has grown into one of the world's most valuable sports leagues with significant global viewership.