If the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team is sold at the reported price, it will be the biggest deal in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Previously, the Lucknow Super Giants held the title of the most expensive franchise.
Sports News: A major update has emerged regarding Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), a potential IPL 2025 champion and one of the most talked-about franchises. United Spirits Ltd, the owner of RCB, is reportedly preparing to sell the team. According to Bloomberg, the company has set a price unprecedented for any IPL team – $2 billion, or approximately ₹17,000 crore.
If this deal goes through at this price, RCB will become the most expensive team ever sold in IPL history. Previously, before IPL 2022, when two new teams were bid upon, the Lucknow Super Giants were bought by the RPSG Group for ₹7,090 crore, and the Gujarat Titans were acquired by CVC Capital for ₹5,625 crore. This RCB deal would significantly surpass both.
RCB: A Brand, A Passion
Although RCB has never won an IPL title, its brand value is not inferior to that of any winning team. Superstar players like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle kept the team popular for years. The team's marketing, fanbase, and b social media presence have made it the most discussed franchise in the IPL.
RCB boasts a social media following larger than almost all other teams, and its every activity generates significant buzz. This is why Diageo expects a substantial profit from the team's sale.
From 2008 to Now – RCB's Value Soars
When the IPL began in 2008, RCB was valued at approximately $111.6 million (₹476 crore). At that time, it was the second most expensive franchise after Chennai Super Kings. Vijay Mallya's United Breweries acquired it, but later, following Mallya's financial troubles, United Spirits and then Diageo took over.
In 2016, Diageo assumed complete control of RCB. Now, almost eight years later, the company is considering selling RCB for ₹17,000 crore – approximately 35 times its initial value.
Why is RCB Being Sold?
Diageo's core business is alcoholic beverages, and it consistently aims to focus solely on its core business. Investment in a sports franchise is considered a "non-core" asset. According to an insider, RCB is a fantastic brand, but the aim is to sell it to a partner who can take it to new heights.
Potential Buyers?
While it's unclear which companies or investors are interested in buying RCB, sources suggest that several global private equity firms, Indian business groups, and investors from Gulf countries are actively involved in the deal. In the past, the Adani Group, Hinduja Group, Octagon Sports, and Murugappa Group have been involved in IPL team bidding. Given RCB's brand value, even bigger names may emerge this time.
Despite a history without an IPL title, RCB's current form and b brand make it a b contender for victory in IPL 2025.
