IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru are looking for a new owner. Buyers from India and other countries are showing interest. According to a report in The Telegraph, the owners of the Hundred team Welsh Fire are strong contenders and have enough funds to buy the team valued at around USD 2 billion.
American Billionaire Shows Interest as RCB Looks for New Owner
Welsh Fire is co-owned by American tech billionaire Sanjay Govil and Glamorgan Cricket Club. Sanjay Govil also owns the Major League Cricket team Washington Freedom. “Fire and Freedom do not talk about specific deals. But we work in owning, running and growing cricket teams around the world. We see that many cricket teams are coming together under big groups, and we want to be part of that while creating value for our shareholders," The Telegraph quoted Glamorgan chairman Mark Rhydderch-Roberts as saying.
Diageo, a global alcohol company, currently owns RCB in both the IPL and WPL. Recently, in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the company said it is doing a full review of its investment in RCB. This review is expected to finish by March 2026.
The BCCI and the IPL Governing Council have been told about the situation. According to reports, Diageo now wants to focus on its main business and sell its sports assets. RCB ended their 17-year wait for an IPL trophy earlier this year by beating Punjab Kings in the final.
When the IPL started in 2008, RCB was the second-most expensive team, with then United Spirits Ltd chairman Vijay Mallya paying USD 111.6 million for it. Mallya left in 2016, and after that Diageo became the full owner.
But RCB’s first title celebration was overshadowed by a tragic stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, their home ground. Eleven people died and many others were injured during the victory parade in June.
