Lalit Modi Thanks ‘Good Friend' Vijay Mallya For Buying RCB: ‘Biggest Sponsor...Give Credit'

News18

6 days ago

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Lalit Modi praised Vijay Mallya for being the first to back the IPL when it was still just an idea.
Lalit Modi, the creator of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has put the spotlight back on one of the league's original team owners, Vijay Mallya. Sharing a clip from Vijay Mallya's recent interview with YouTuber Raj Shamani, Lalit Modi praised the former liquor baron for being the first to back the IPL when it was still just an idea.
'How did my good friend Vijay Mallya buy Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL I created? Hear from the man himself. He was the first person to support me blindly. He was also the league's biggest sponsor and has, since day one, been its most loyal, ardent fan and follower. For which I will always be grateful," he wrote on X.
Modi further added, 'One must give credit where credit is due. He has always done more for the game and the fans than anyone living I know. And believe me, I know better than anyone else living. You may have your bias. But I am known to call a spade a spade."
Mallya responded in his post with, 'Thank you Lalit."
How did my good friend #vijaymallya buy @royalchallengers.bengaluru team in the @iplt20 I created. Hear from the man himself. He was the first person to support me making the #ipl blindly. Also was its biggest sponsor and has since day one been its most loyal ardent fan and… pic.twitter.com/Z7XInCSBrg — Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) June 5, 2025
In the recent interview, Mallya opened up about how he got involved with the IPL. 'I was impressed with the pitch Lalit made to the BCCI committee about this league. He called me one day and said, 'Okay, fine. We're ready to go. Teams are going to be auctioned. Are you going to buy?'" he said.
Mallya saw the league not just as a sporting opportunity but also as a smart way to promote his brands. 'In a country where cricket is a religion, what better platform can I have to promote my brands than through an IPL franchise? And I got greedy, I wanted one for Kingfisher and one for my whiskey brand, Royal Challenge," he continued.
But the rules were clear. 'He said you can only have one. Then the bidding came and I was excited to promote one of my brands. So, I bid for three franchises. I lost Mumbai by a very small amount of money. But then I ended up the highest bidder for three and I had to choose one. So, I obviously chose Bangalore," he stated.
Mallya purchased RCB in 2008 and the team rose to fame as one of the most talked-about franchises in the IPL. But their journey wasn't smooth. Under Mallya's leadership, RCB often attracted headlines for both cricket and controversy. In 2016, as legal troubles mounted over unpaid loans, Mallya lost control of the team. Since then, the ownership of RCB has rested with United Spirits Limited (USL), a major player in India's alcoholic beverage market and the second-largest liquor company in the world.
This IPL season turned out to be historic for RCB. After 18 years, the team finally lifted its maiden IPL trophy in a thrilling final against Punjab Kings. Fans across the country erupted in celebration but the joy was tragically cut short when a stampede broke out outside Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium where fans had gathered to celebrate. At least 11 people lost their lives and 47 others were injured in the chaos.
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