Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) achieved history when they won their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2025 by defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final. Their celebrations with fans turned extremely sour, as there was a massive stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which killed 11 fans and injured several people. There was a lot of backlash after this mishap, and now it looks like there will be a massive change within the franchise ranks, as they are likely to get new owners.

According to a report by Bloomberg, Diageo Plc, the British company that owns RCB through its Indian arm United Spirits Ltd, is looking to sell a part or all of its stake in the franchise. They have started early talks with advisers and are looking at all possible options. The report also states that the company is valuing the franchise at something upwards of $2 billion.

The discussions, however, are still private, and no firm move has been made.

Diageo might be reviewing its ownership to simplify its global operations, and the sale of RCB is a major part of it. The company has witnessed a blow to its sales in the USA, which is its largest market. This is because of tariffs and a lack of demand for premium alcohol products there. Selling RCB could add a large amount of funds and help the company focus on its core business.

There is also a growing pressure from the Government of India. The Ministry of Health is also pushing to ban all sorts of surrogate advertising of tobacco and alcohol products during sporting events like the IPL.

Companies like Diageo have used RCB players and the brand in soft drinks and mineral water advertisements. If rules on advertising are made stricter, then it could hurt the brand visibility of the company that puhes its product through cricket, which is arguably the most popular sport in India.

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