RCB eye edge in play-offs race, CSK an elusive win in the backdrop of emotional Kohli-Dhoni match-up
Before delving into that possibility, a glance of the situation will reveal that RCB can swell their tally to 16 with a win, a position from where they potentially cannot falter in the race to the Qualifiers with three matches still remaining.
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First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
RCB owner issues statement after sale rumours emerge following maiden IPL title win
After RCB's maiden IPL title win in 2025, media reports speculated a possible sale of the franchise. The reports emerged following the deadly stampede in Bengaluru that killed 11 fans during victory celebrations. Current owner Diageo India has now issued a statement, clarifying their stance on the matter. read more After Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lifted their first-ever IPL title this year, media reports emerged stating that the team might be up for sale. RCB defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs in the IPL 2025 final to end their 18-year-long drought. Immediately after this, news started doing the rounds of a possible sale of the franchise. RCB's historic IPL 2025 win sparks sale speculation However, the current owner of RCB, Diageo India, has denied all rumours. The company has clearly said that it is not looking to sell the RCB franchise. According to Cricbuzz, Diageo made this statement in a letter to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Tuesday, 10 June. This clarification came after the BSE reached out to Diageo regarding the rumours. 'The company would like to clarify that the aforesaid media reports are speculative in nature and it is not pursuing any such discussion. This is for your information and records,' Mital Sanghvi, the company secretary, was quoted as saying to BSE. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tragic incident in Bengaluru adds to the speculation The speculation started when Bloomberg published a report earlier this morning suggesting that Diageo was looking for options to sell the RCB team. The report came just days after RCB's IPL 2025 victory on 3 June and a tragic stampede incident in Bengaluru on 4 June, where 11 people lost their lives during the celebrations. There were reports that since the news of the potential sale emerged, Diageo's stocks have risen in value. Meanwhile, there are speculations that RCB's owner is exploring options to sell the franchise because of the recent incident that may have caused some reputational damage to the company. Some reports also claimed that Diageo was looking at a valuation of $2 billion for the IPL team. 'I will not be surprised if it is sold for a higher price,' IPL founder Lalit Modi was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. As per Modi, the valuation being quoted in the media is not far off. RCB's IPL victory may have increased the brand value of the franchise. The Gujarat Titans team was recently sold for nearly $1 billion to Torrent Group.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
RCB's parent company reacts to 'plans to sell' franchise after winning IPL
Rumours of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) being on sale surfaced just days after the franchise claimed its maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title after beating Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad. However, the owners, Diageo India, an Indian branch of UK-based Diageo Plc, categorically shut the rumours as they told the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and BSE Surveillance Department on Tuesday that the reports were merely speculative in nature. Earlier, a Bloomberg report indicated that the British distiller has been in discussion with potential advisers on selling part or all of the club. Diageo owns the team through its Indian unit, United Spirits Ltd., and may seek a valuation of as much as $2 billion. However, the rumours were ended in a mail to the BSE, with Mital Sanghvi, the company secretary, informing the regulating body of the Indian Stock Market, "The company would like to clarify that the aforesaid media reports are speculative in nature and it is not pursuing any such discussion. This is for your information and records." Diageo is registered with the BSE and hence a mail was sent to the company as the rumours around the RCB had lifted the share price. Shares of United Spirits gained as much as 3.3%, to hit a five-month high, in Mumbai trading on Tuesday morning following the report on potential deal. The rumours emerged at a time when India's health ministry is keen on banning the promotion of tobacco and alcohol brands in the IPL. While advertisement of such products are strictly prohibited in India, Diageo have promoted other products such as soda using top cricketers. The discussions also emerged at a time when RCB found themselves in the midst of a controversy after the unfortunate incident outside the Chinnaswamy on June 4. The franchise had arranged a celebration in the city a day after the IPL win, which saw around 2.5 lakh fans gathering in and around the home stadium in Bengaluru. But all turned into a chaos as a stampede saw 11 people losing their lives, while 56 were left injured. The incident has drawn criticism from local authorities and increased scrutiny over event safety, adding pressure on the franchise's ownership as it faces reputational risks tied to the tragedy.
Mint
3 hours ago
- Mint
RCB stake sale talk swirls after historic win. Speculation or strategy?
After nearly a decade of backing one of cricket's most recognizable franchises, global liquor giant Diageo may be considering a partial stake sale in Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)—just days after the team clinched its first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title. While its Indian arm United Spirits has called recent media reports 'speculative," the timing has raised eyebrows in industry circles. With top-tier IPL team valuations now ranging from $1.5–2 billion for franchises like Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, and amid rising political and reputational risks, market watchers believe Diageo may see this as an opportune moment to monetise RCB's peak brand value. Mint reported in January that the RCB franchise had seen an 87% rise in brand value since the IPL's inception, with a 67% jump in the last year alone to $117 million (approximately ₹1,000 crore). Diageo had also made early moves in women's cricket, acquiring the RCB women's team for ₹901 crore in 2023 and seeing them clinch the Women's Premier League title in 2024—signalling broader ambitions in sports and entertainment even as it pivots globally toward core liquor investments. In a regulatory filing with the BSE, United Spirits said the reports were speculative and there were no discussions currently underway. Still, the market conditions—and RCB's brand momentum—have kept speculation alive. Why Diageo might be looking to sell stake in Royal Challengers Bengaluru? The move appears driven by a blend of financial timing, brand strategy, and risk mitigation. The title win has likely pushed RCB's valuation to a new high, giving Diageo an opportunity to capitalise. A partial stake sale could free up capital for its mainstay spirits business, rather than non-core cricket, an asset acquired in 2016 from Vijay Mallya, who had originally paid ₹476 crore in 2008. Read this | United Spirits is on a high after RCB's IPL win, JP Morgan upgrade and UK FTA. Can it keep buzzing? But reputational risks may also be weighing on the decision. Recent controversies, including arrests of RCB officials after the recent stampede, and growing political scrutiny, have drawn uncomfortable attention. The company may also be assessing the uncertainty around Virat Kohli's future and the prospect of tighter regulation on alcohol-linked branding. Taken together, these factors could make this not just a strategic moment, but a necessary one, for a partial exit. Will it be a full exit from IPL? A complete exit from one of India's most high-profile sports assets would be a strategic anomaly. Experts Mint spoke to estimate RCB's team valuation at around ₹10,000 crore, but a full sale seems unlikely. Most point to a partial stake sale, similar to Torrent Investments' 67% acquisition of Gujarat Titans from CVC Capital Partners. JSW's 50% stake in Delhi Capitals, acquired from GMR in 2018, followed a comparable model. Read this | IPL: The ultimate multibagger? How team ownership delivers explosive returns Note that team valuation reflects a franchise's financial worth—including revenues, assets, and future cash flows—while brand value is derived from intangibles like reputation, fan loyalty, and cultural impact. The two often move in tandem but are not the same. Did recent events push Diageo to consider selling now? Yes. RCB's maiden title win has likely pushed the franchise's brand value to a new high, making this a strong monetisation window. Holding a smaller stake still gives Diageo access to a popular culture asset—valuable in a market where liquor advertising is largely restricted. But there's also a more serious development: the stampede at RCB's post-win celebration in Bengaluru, which left 11 people dead. While not directly the franchise's fault, the incident may have raised red flags at Diageo's global headquarters. For a consumer-facing multinational, such events can weigh on brand value. What could Diageo do with the proceeds? Streamline. Liquor sales are facing margin pressure globally, particularly in mature markets such as the US. Diageo has been on a strategic clean-up, exiting or reducing stakes in non-core ventures, and doubling down on premium spirits. The RCB stake sale could free up capital to invest in core liquor brands, expand bottling operations, or accelerate premiumisation in growth markets like India and Southeast Asia. What happens to RCB now? Very little in the short term. The franchise will continue operations as-is, with team management, brand sponsorships, and cricketing strategy expected to remain unchanged. However, if a new investor comes on board, whether a private equity firm or strategic partner, there may be changes in how RCB monetises its fanbase, drives digital engagement, or expands into merchandising and off-season content. Could this shift how IPL teams are owned in future? If the deal goes through, it would underscore the shift of IPL teams from promoter-led ventures to institutionalised sports businesses. CVC Capital's sale of a stake in Gujarat Titans to Torrent Group—valued at ₹7,500 crore—followed a similar path. Globally, leagues such as the NFL, NBA, and Premier League already see promoter groups and private capital co-own franchises as financial assets. Also read | RCB's game plan: How a title-starved team is reshaping the sports business With IPL team values crossing a billion dollars, owners are increasingly seeking capital to scale via technology, merchandising, global outreach, and fan engagement. A partial RCB sale could shape how other teams manage valuation highs, brand risk, and long-term strategy—without fully exiting. This story has been updated to include United Spirits' statement denying reports of a stake sale in RCB.
