RCB Sold to Consortium for ₹16,706 Crore in Record IPL Deal

78 billion, approximately ₹16,706 crore. The consortium comprises the Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone’s Perpetual Private Equity Strategy, while this transaction stands as the largest deal in the history of the league to date.

The four-group consortium entered into a definitive agreement with United Spirits Limited (USL), a subsidiary of UK-based Diageo PLC, to acquire a 100% stake in the franchise. The acquisition encompasses both the men’s team in the IPL and the women’s team in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), ensuring a complete transition of ownership for the Bengaluru-based franchise.

New Leadership and Governance

Following the acquisition, a new leadership structure has been established for the franchise. Aryaman Vikram Birla, Director at Aditya Birla Group, will take over as the Chairman of RCB, while satyan Gajwani, representing the Times of India Group, will serve as the Vice Chairman. The consortium also includes David Blitzer, founder of Bolt Ventures, and Viral Patel, CEO of BXPE, as key partners in the management of the sports entity.

Regulatory Approvals and Scope

The deal is currently subject to customary closing conditions and requires formal approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the regulatory body for both IPL and WPL. On top of that, the transaction must clear the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and other applicable regulatory authorities. The scope of the deal ensures that the new owners will manage all cricketing operations and brand assets associated with RCB.

Aditya Birla Group on the Acquisition

According to Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, the IPL has emerged as a global sporting powerhouse over the last two decades, creating significant value for Indian cricket. He stated that RCB, being one of the most attractive franchises in modern sports, provides a unique platform for the group to extend its legacy of institution-building into the global sports arena. The group expressed its commitment to acting as custodians of the franchise's legacy.

Future Vision for the Franchise

Satyan Gajwani, Chairman of Times Internet Limited, highlighted the objective of evolving RCB into a global sporting institution, while he noted that RCB is currently the defending champion in the WPL and remains one of the most popular brands in the IPL. The consortium aims to support the existing culture built by players, coaches, and the leadership team while focusing on long-term growth and fan engagement across both formats of the game.