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
Sony Pictures Networks India acquires broadcast rights for Indian Football League
SPNI strengthens its football portfolio with domestic league addition for 2025-26 season.
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India has just kicked the ball into its own net in the best possible way. The broadcaster has secured the television and digital rights for the Indian Football League (formerly the I-League) for the 2025-26 season, further cementing its position as the go-to destination for football in India. SPNI’s football portfolio now boasts an impressive lineup, including the Indian Super League, Indian Football League, Durand Cup, UEFA EURO 2028, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Nations League, Bundesliga, FA Cup, and more.
Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer and business head and sports and international Rajesh Kaul said, “The Indian Football League is an important pillar of the country’s football structure, with deep regional followings and a vital role in shaping the next generation of talent. With this acquisition, we are further strengthening our football offering and building a more complete ecosystem for fans in India.”
AIFF deputy secretary general M. Satyanarayan welcomed the partnership, “We are happy to have Sony Sports Network as the broadcast partners for the league. Last season, the title race went right down to the final day, and we hope this year it will be just as exciting. The Indian Football League has its own distinct charm, and we are confident it will live up to expectations once again.”
The addition of the IFL reinforces SPNI’s long-term commitment to growing football fandom in India by bringing fans closer to the sport at every level from grassroots domestic action to the biggest international stages.
In a country where cricket often dominates the spotlight, Sony is steadily building a full-pitch football ecosystem. With the IFL now on board, fans can look forward to a richer, more rounded football calendar, one that promises both local passion and global glamour. The beautiful game just got even more beautiful on Indian screens.
