Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), one of the most loved IPL teams, might soon have a new owner. The news came weeks after RCB won the IPL trophy for the first time in 18 years. Right now, RCB is owned by a British company called Diageo through its Indian branch, United Spirits Ltd. According to a report by Bloomberg, Diageo is thinking about selling some or even all of its ownership in the team.

The company has started early discussions with experts to look at its options. While no final decision has been made yet, they may value the team at around $2 billion. These talks are private for now, and nothing has been confirmed officially. As soon as the news came out, United Spirits’ shares rose by 3.3% in the stock market on Tuesday morning. The stock even reached its highest level in five months.

Why is Diageo selling RCB?

The company is said to be thinking about selling part or all of the team. There are a few reasons:

  • Business changes: Diageo is facing challenges in its biggest market, the US. Fewer people are buying expensive liquor, and trade issues like tariffs are affecting sales. Selling RCB could help Diageo get extra funds and focus on its main business.

  • New rules in India: The Indian government is trying to stop indirect advertising of alcohol and tobacco in sports like the IPL. Even though direct ads are already banned, companies like Diageo often use soft drink or soda brands to advertise. If rules become stricter, it might be harder for Diageo to promote its products through cricket.

RCB’s journey so far

RCB was first bought by Vijay Mallya, a liquor businessman who later faced serious financial troubles. After that, Diageo took control of United Spirits and became the owner of RCB.The team has always had big names like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Faf du Plessis, but they had never won the IPL title until this year.

Now, with the IPL becoming one of the biggest sports leagues in the world, teams like RCB are worth a lot of money. Experts say a sale of RCB could set a new record for how much an IPL team can be worth, possibly up to $2 billion.