Sports
RCB sold! Meet the new owners of the franchise
Birla-led consortium, with TOI Group, Bolt Ventures and Blackstone, seals $1.78 billion all-cash deal for IPL and WPL champions
Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru has found new deep-pocketed backers. A consortium led by Aditya Birla Group and the Times of India Group has snapped up full ownership of the IPL and WPL franchise for a staggering $1.78 billion, marking one of the richest deals in cricket’s franchise era.
United Spirits Limited, the current owner, said its board has approved the all-cash sale to a consortium that also includes Bolt Ventures and Blackstone’s perpetual private equity strategy, BXPE. Both the men’s and women’s teams, previously run by Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited, will now be owned and operated by the new investors.
The price tag underlines the frenzy. At roughly Rs 16,660 crore, it eclipses the combined Rs 12,715 crore that the BCCI fetched from selling the Lucknow and Ahmedabad IPL teams in 2021. The deal comes after a competitive process that saw at least eight suitors shortlisted earlier this year, before the final consortium took shape.
The sale traces back to Diageo’s strategic rethink. The global alcohol giant, which controls USL, had flagged cricket as a non-core business in filings to Sebi last November, setting a March 31 deadline to exit the asset.
The transaction now awaits clearances from the BCCI and the Competition Commission of India before the consortium formally takes control.
RCB’s journey mirrors the league’s explosive rise. One of the original eight IPL teams, it was bought in 2008 for $111.6 million by Vijay Mallya’s United Breweries Group. In 2023, the owners doubled down, paying Rs 901 crore, about $110 million, to secure the Bengaluru franchise in the WPL, the third-most expensive among the five teams.
The new owners are wasting no time in setting the tone. Aryaman Birla will serve as chairman, with Satyan Gajwani as vice-chairman. The consortium called itself “proud to become custodians” of the franchise, adding: “RCB’s championship-winning culture, its deep connection to Bengaluru, and one of the most passionate fanbases in world sport make this an extraordinary opportunity. We are committed to taking RCB to new heights, on the pitch and beyond.”
For USL, the exit is both financial and strategic. “RCB has grown into the most prominent and commercially successful franchise in the IPL and the WPL,” said Praveen Someshwar, managing director and chief executive. “Guided by its ‘Play Bold’ philosophy and a strong competitive spirit, it has built a globally recognised brand and a passionate fan base. We are excited for the future of RCB under the stewardship of the new owner. As sports enters a new phase of growth in India and globally, we believe this is in the best interest of the franchise and our stakeholders.”
The buyer group blends heft and sporting ambition. Aditya Birla Group brings conglomerate muscle; Times of India Group adds media clout and existing stakes in global cricket properties; Bolt Ventures, backed by David Blitzer, carries a sprawling sports portfolio from the Premier League to the NBA; and Blackstone offers financial firepower as the world’s largest alternative asset manager.
With capital, credibility and global sporting expertise now in the mix, RCB is no longer just a franchise. It is a billion-dollar bet on cricket’s next frontier, and the stakes have never been higher.
Sports
Gujarat Titans unveil vision for IPL 2026 season
Franchise leaders emphasise culture, fan connection and never-give-up spirit.
MUMBAI: Gujarat Titans just raised the bar for IPL 2026 because when a young franchise already has two finals and one trophy in four seasons, the only way left is to aim even higher. At the grand Season Launch event ‘Shubharambh 2026’ in Ahmedabad, Gujarat Titans outlined their ambitions for the upcoming Tata IPL 2026 season, with a strong focus on deepening their identity, strengthening team culture and putting fans at the heart of everything they do.
Gujarat Titans managing director and director Torrent Group Jinal Mehta reflected on the franchise’s rapid rise, “We are a young franchise, but over the last four years, we’ve built a strong legacy. We’ve reached the finals twice and won the IPL in our inaugural season. We see ourselves as a franchise that believes there is much more beyond the game itself. Fans are at the centre of everything we do.”
Gujarat Titans director, and Torrent Group director Shaan Mehta highlighted the importance of culture: “Culture is at the centre of everything we do, regardless of on-field results. If you don’t function as a unit, you cannot be part of a strong team. It has always been about working towards the team’s betterment and not getting carried away by past results.”
On the responsibility of representing an entire state, Jinal Mehta added, “It’s a significant responsibility, and we see ourselves as custodians of it on behalf of our fans. Sport, especially cricket, is like a religion in our country. While winning matters, how we conduct ourselves as a franchise matters just as much.”
Shaan Mehta reinforced the emotional bond with supporters, “GT is an emotion, and the fans are at the centre of that. Without them, success would not hold the same meaning. That’s something we want to keep strengthening as we continue this journey.”
Looking ahead to the new season, Shaan Mehta promised fans, “At the very least, fans can expect a never-give-up attitude, and they will certainly be entertained throughout the season. The team will play with intensity, and there will be plenty to look forward to as the season unfolds.”
In just four seasons, Gujarat Titans have moved from new entrant to one of the IPL’s most compelling stories. With a clear focus on culture, fan connection and consistent performance, the franchise is ready to write the next chapter of its rapidly growing legacy.
When a team already plays with the heart of a champion and the discipline of a contender, adding “never-give-up” as the official season vibe is less a promise and more a warning to the rest of the league, Gujarat Titans are coming, and they’re bringing their fans with them.
