Consortium to Acquire RCB for $1.78 Billion
A consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group, Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone has agreed to acquire Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for $1.78 billion, according to a Reuters report. The deal concludes a competitive bidding process initiated after United Spirits, the Indian arm of Diageo, decided to divest the franchise, calling it non-core to its primary alcohol business. The acquisition includes both the men’s IPL team and the Women’s Premier League franchise, pending regulatory approvals from the BCCI and the Competition Commission of India.
The sale attracted strong global interest, with bidders including private equity firms and prominent business leaders such as Adar Poonawalla, Ranjan Pai, and Manchester United co-chairman Avram Glazer. Growing investor appetite for IPL franchises is driven by surging revenues, expanding global viewership, and the league’s lucrative broadcast rights, which crossed $6 billion in the 2022 media rights auction. The BCCI’s revenue-sharing model has further strengthened franchise profitability, making teams attractive long-term investments.
RCB, one of the IPL’s original eight teams, secured its first men’s title in 2025, boosted by star cricketer Virat Kohli’s enduring popularity. The franchise reported revenues of $56 million in the 2024–25 season, reflecting a 73% rise over three years. Under the new ownership structure, Aryaman Vikram Birla will serve as chairman, while Satyan Gajwani of the Times of India Group will take on the role of vice chairman.
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