Royal Challengers Bengaluru Ownership Shifts in Record-Breaking Deal Covering IPL & WPL Teams

In a landmark development in the world of cricket and sports business, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise has been sold for a massive USD 1.78 billion (approximately INR 16,660 crore). The deal, announced by United Spirits Limited (USL), marks one of the highest valuations in IPL history. The franchise has been acquired by a powerful consortium comprising the Aditya Birla Group, Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone’s perpetual private equity strategy (BXPE). With this acquisition, both the RCB men’s (IPL) and women’s (WPL) teams will now be fully owned and operated by the new consortium.

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This all-cash deal highlights the growing commercial value of IPL franchises and reflects the league’s global appeal. Notably, the RCB sale surpasses the combined INR 12,715 crore valuation of the Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans franchises sold by the BCCI in 2021. The agreement is currently subject to regulatory approvals from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Competition Commission of India (CCI), after which the consortium will officially take control of the franchise.

The sale comes after global beverage giant Diageo, which owns USL, initiated a strategic review of its investment in RCB. The company had stated that cricket was a non-core business area and aimed to complete the sale before March 31. This move aligns with Diageo’s broader strategy to streamline its global portfolio and focus on its core operations.

The new ownership group has outlined a strong leadership structure, with Aryaman Birla set to take on the role of Chairman and Satyan Gajwani of the Times of India Group as Vice-Chairman. In their statement, the consortium expressed pride in becoming custodians of RCB and emphasized their commitment to building on the franchise’s legacy, strong fan base, and championship-winning culture while aiming for further growth both on and off the field.

RCB has been one of the most prominent franchises since the inception of the IPL in 2008, when it was initially bought by Vijay Mallya’s United Breweries Group for USD 111.6 million. Over the years, the team has evolved into a globally recognized brand with a massive fan following. In 2023, the franchise expanded into women’s cricket by acquiring the Bengaluru team in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) for INR 901 crore, making it one of the most expensive teams in the league.

The consortium itself brings together a diverse set of global investors with deep expertise across industries. The Aditya Birla Group is a multinational conglomerate with interests spanning metals, cement, retail, and telecom, while the Times of India Group is a leading media powerhouse with stakes in international cricket leagues. Bolt Ventures, led by sports investor David Blitzer, has ownership stakes in several global sports teams, and Blackstone is one of the world’s largest alternative asset managers with investments across multiple sectors. Together, their combined experience is expected to drive RCB into a new phase of growth and global prominence.