Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is truly heading for an ownership change. Sources say the process of selling the team has already begun. The ownership of Virat Kohli’s franchise is set to shift to the famous Kannada production house, Hombale Films. Their primary business is cinema, and they have no previous history of investing in sports. However, this Kannada production house is extremely successful in the film industry, known for blockbuster movies like KGF, Kantara, and Salaar.
The company, valued at ₹3,000 crore, has actually been associated with RCB since 2023, handling the franchise’s marketing and promotional strategies. Owners Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda are not buying RCB’s full ownership; they will become partial owners.
After an 18-year-long wait, RCB finally tasted the sweetness of their first IPL trophy this year. Last year, RCB’s women’s team had already won the Women’s Premier League. But soon after this year’s IPL final, rumours began circulating that RCB’s ownership might change.
The current owners reportedly want to sell both the men’s and women’s teams. According to Diageo India, only 8.3% of their profits come from these two cricket teams, meaning RCB is no longer essential for them. That’s why they want to sell the franchise. RCB has been priced at 200 million USD around ₹17,000 crore in Indian currency. Though multiple companies expressed interest, the partial ownership is going to the production house.
