Following the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise's historic maiden victory in IPL Season 18, the team's current owners, Diageo (UK-based beverage company), have reportedly decided to sell the franchise.

This decision has sparked an intense bidding war, with prominent Kannadiga billionaire entrepreneurs expressing a strong desire to acquire the team.

The battle for the ownership of the RCB franchise has begun well ahead of the start of Indian Premier League (IPL) Season 19 (2026). This development raises the high possibility that RCB, a team symbolizing Karnataka, might finally be owned by Kannadigas.

The Potential Buyers -

The franchise, which was under the ownership of Britain's Diageo company, is now subject to a fierce bidding competition. Among the leading contenders vying for the purchase are: Nikhil Kamath - Co-founder of the financial services firm Zerodha. Ranjan Pai - Chairman of the Manipal Group. OnePlus Nord CE4 (Celadon Marble, 8GB RAM, 128GB Storage) | Lifetime Display Warranty | Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 7 Gen 3 - Best in The Segment | 50 MP Camera with OIS

Valuation and Market Impact -

Diageo is reportedly seeking a massive price tag of approximately $2 billion (USD) for the RCB franchise. This development has generated significant buzz in the domestic cricket world, highlighting RCB's status as one of the IPL franchises with the highest brand valuation. Also Read: Tragedy in Raichur: KSRTC Bus Runs Over Begging Children; One Boy De*ad, Brother Loses Both Hands!