The swirling rumors of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar potentially buying the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL franchise have been firmly quashed by the man himself. In a statement released earlier today, Shivakumar dismissed the speculation with a touch of humor, stating, "Why do I need RCB? I don't even drink Royal Challenge." This decisive response follows reports suggesting that Diageo Plc, the British distiller and current owner of RCB through its Indian unit, United Spirits Ltd., was considering selling part or all of the franchise.
Shivakumar clarified that while he has been a member of the Karnataka Cricket Association since his younger days and has received offers to join the franchise's management, he simply doesn't have the time to get involved. "I am not a mad man," he asserted, effectively putting an end to the rumors linking him to the RCB ownership.
The speculation surrounding a potential sale of RCB gained traction after a Bloomberg report indicated that Diageo might be reconsidering its ownership of the franchise, particularly after RCB's recent historic IPL 2025 win. This victory, which saw RCB lift their maiden title on June 3rd by defeating Punjab Kings, has undoubtedly increased the franchise's value and appeal.
Following these reports, shares of United Spirits experienced a notable surge on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). This prompted the company to issue an official clarification to the BSE, stating that the media reports were speculative and that no formal discussions regarding a sale were underway. Mital Sanghvi, the company secretary, informed the regulating body of the Indian Stock Market that "The company would like to clarify that the aforesaid media reports are speculative in nature and it is not pursuing any such discussion. This is for your information and records."
The value of the RCB franchise is estimated to be significant, with some sources placing it as high as $2 billion. This valuation reflects not only the team's on-field performance but also its brand value and fan following. The recent speculation about a potential sale has triggered debate over whether this valuation is justified.
The Deputy CM's denial also comes amidst political fallout from a recent stampede that occurred during RCB victory celebrations, where 11 lives were lost. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla have criticized the Congress-led state government's handling of the event. Joshi has even demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, citing their "irresponsible" approach and for allegedly ignoring warnings from senior police officers against holding large-scale celebrations. A judicial probe has been initiated regarding the stampede. Despite the tragedy, Shivakumar himself was present during the celebrations.
