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Fresh off their dramatic six-run victory over Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final on June 3, RCB’s long-awaited title win has not only triggered celebrations and backlash across Karnataka but also renewed commercial interest in the franchise.
Media reports, on Tuesday, suggested that Diageo Plc, the UK-based parent company of United Spirits which owns RCB, was evaluating options to monetize its IPL asset, either through a partial or full sale.
Further, Bloomberg reported that Diageo has been in early discussions with financial advisors and potential investors. The franchise, according to these reports, could be valued at up to USD 2 billion (Rs 16,800 crore approx), making it one of the most expensive teams in IPL history and standing more than double the valuation for which Gujarat Titans were acquired in 2023.
Diageo Denies Sale, Calls Reports ‘Speculative’
Despite the market chatter, Diageo has publicly dismissed the reports as baseless. In a letter addressed to the Bombay Stock Exchange on June 10, Diageo India’s company secretary Mital Sanghvi categorically denied the rumours.
The denial came after the BSE sought clarification in light of the rising stock prices of United Spirits, which saw a 3.3% jump following the initial Bloomberg report.
While the company’s response appears unequivocal, industry insiders suggest that such denials are typical in early-stage deal explorations, especially for publicly listed entities.
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Title High, Celebration Tragedy, and Corporate Pressure
The timing of the rumours is particularly significant. RCB’s championship victory ended an 18-year drought and reinvigorated one of the IPL’s most popular fanbases. Yet just a day after the win, tragedy struck. A stampede during RCB’s victory celebration at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 led to the deaths of 11 fans, casting a shadow over the historic moment.
Sources close to the sports business circuit believe this tragedy may have triggered internal debates within Diageo about reputational risks. Besides, some speculate that such rumours are being reported by a certain group of media houses to divert the attention from the recent deaths due to stampede.
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RCB, meanwhile, has built one of the largest global fanbases in cricket, thanks to superstars like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and more recently, Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma. The team’s social media presence is unmatched in the IPL, and merchandise sales, brand partnerships, and engagement metrics often outpace even more successful franchises.
Even if Diageo is not currently in active talks to sell RCB, the franchise’s valuation, media attention, and now, silverware, make it a prized asset in the global sports investment market.
