Days after winning their maiden IPL title, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) found themselves at the center of sale rumours — which have now been firmly denied by the team’s owners, Diageo India.
Speculation had emerged suggesting Diageo was considering selling part or all of RCB through its Indian subsidiary, United Spirits Ltd, with the team’s valuation reportedly touching $2 billion. Some reports also claimed that preliminary discussions with potential advisers were underway.
However, in an official statement filed with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Mital Sanghvi, Company Secretary of United Spirits, dismissed the reports as “speculative in nature,” adding, “The company is not pursuing any such discussion.”
The clarification came after a 3.3% surge in United Spirits’ share price raised queries from the BSE. The market jump was largely attributed to the unverified reports of the potential sale.
Amid the buzz, Diageo reaffirmed its commitment to RCB, saying it has no plans to part with the franchise, especially after its historic IPL 2025 triumph.
The rumours also come at a time when the Indian health ministry is considering a ban on alcohol and tobacco promotions in cricket. While alcohol advertising is already restricted, companies like Diageo have promoted non-alcoholic variants such as soda through cricket endorsements.
Adding to the pressure on the franchise, RCB recently faced backlash after a stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4. The crowd, estimated at 2.5 lakh, had gathered to celebrate RCB’s IPL win. The chaos left 11 people dead and 56 injured, prompting criticism from officials over poor crowd management.
Despite the controversies, Diageo has reiterated its long-term commitment to RCB, calling the franchise an integral part of its brand portfolio.
