Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is set to be sold within the next four months. Sources indicate that the sale process has already begun, and current owners United Spirits expect to finalize it by March next year. However, RCB will still take part in the upcoming IPL auction during the sale period.
After waiting 18 long years, RCB finally tasted their maiden IPL title this year. Their women’s team had earlier won the Women’s Premier League (WPL) last year. But speculation about a change in ownership began soon after this season’s IPL final. The current owners intend to sell both the men’s and women’s teams.
United Spirits has stated that only 8.3% of their total profit comes from these two teams, making RCB no longer essential to their business model. Hence, they are planning to sell Virat Kohli and Smriti Mandhana’s franchise.
The asking price for RCB has been set at 200 million USD (approx. ₹17,000 crore).
There is uncertainty regarding who will buy the team at such a massive price, though several names have surfaced. Reports suggest that United Spirits had discussions with the Glazer family from the United Statesowners of the famed football club Manchester United.
Other potential bidders include the Mahindra Group, Kotak Group, and private equity firm Capri Global. At one point, Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India, was believed to be a frontrunner. With an estimated net worth of ₹13.6 lakh crore (2024), buying RCB would be no major hurdle for him.
Who will ultimately take over the ownership of the franchise of Virat Kohli and Smriti Mandhana remains to be seen.
