Lalit Modi Ignites Speculation Over Potential Sale of IPL Champions RCB
Just months after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title, the franchise is at the center of a storm of speculation following a stunning social media post from former IPL chairman Lalit Modi. In a bombshell claim, Modi has alleged that the team's owners have "finally decided" to sell the highly-valued franchise, a statement that has sent shockwaves through the cricket world.
Modi's Bombshell Claim
The controversy was ignited by a post from Modi on the social media platform X, where he directly addressed long-standing rumors about the team's ownership. "There have been a lot of rumour about the sale of an IPL franchise specifically RCB - well in the past they have been denied," Modi wrote. "But it seems the owners have finally decided to take it off their balance sheet and sell it."
Modi didn't just fuel speculation; he framed the potential sale as one of the most lucrative investment opportunities in global sports. He dismissed a recent valuation that placed the team's worth at $269 million, suggesting its true market value could exceed a staggering $2 billion. He predicted that a "Big Global fund or a Sovereign Fund" would be desperate to acquire the team, setting a new valuation record for the league.
Official Silence Fuels the Fire
Adding weight to the rumors is the conspicuous silence from RCB's current owners, Diageo Plc, the global liquor giant that acquired the team from its original owner, Vijay Mallya, in 2016. When approached for comment, Diageo offered a standard corporate response, stating they decline to "comment on market speculation." The RCB media team echoed this sentiment, providing no denial or clarification.
This non-committal stance is a marked departure from the company's position just a few months ago. In June, following their IPL victory, similar sale rumors had surfaced, partly fueled by a tragic stampede that occurred during the team's victory parade. At that time, Diageo issued a formal and unequivocal denial to the Bombay Stock Exchange, dismissing the reports as purely speculative. The shift from a firm denial to a "no comment" position has been interpreted by many as a sign that a sale is indeed being considered.
A Coveted Asset
Regardless of the ownership situation, RCB remains one of the crown jewels of the IPL. The team's recent on-field success, combined with its massive and passionate fanbase and the enduring global brand power of its star player, Virat Kohli, makes it an incredibly attractive asset.
The speculation has already linked potential high-profile buyers to the team, with Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla's name reportedly in the mix. For now, the cricket world is left to watch and wait as the rumors swirl, with Lalit Modi's provocative claims and Diageo's strategic silence creating a perfect storm of intrigue around the future of one of the sport's most prominent franchises.
Highlights of the Ownership Speculation
Sensational Claim: Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has publicly claimed that the owners of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are preparing to sell the franchise.
Owners' Ambiguous Stance: Unlike previous denials, current owner Diageo has only offered a "no comment on market speculation," which has intensified the rumors.
Massive Valuation Projected: Modi has suggested the team could be sold for over $2 billion, a figure that would set a new record for the IPL and dwarf recent valuations.
Context of Recent Win: The speculation comes just months after RCB won its first-ever IPL title, a victory that was followed by a tragic stampede during celebrations.
Tags: Cricket
