Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been sold for about $1.78 billion (around ₹16,660 crore), making it one of the most expensive IPL franchises ever. A consortium of Indian and international investors bought full ownership from United Spirits Limited (USL), which owned RCB until now. The consortium includes Aditya Birla Group, Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone’s BXPE. After the sale, both the men’s and women’s RCB teams will be run by this new group.
Aryaman Birla, former RCB player and Madhya Pradesh batter, will be chairman of the consortium, and Satyan Gajwani from Times of India will be vice-chairman. The group said they are proud to take care of RCB, which has a strong fanbase and championship-winning culture.
RCB men won their first IPL trophy in 2025, while RCB women are defending WPL champions. The franchise has been very commercially successful and known for its “Play Bold” philosophy.
The consortium brings strong backing: Aditya Birla Group is a global business empire, Bolt Ventures is owned by David Blitzer who has sports teams worldwide, Blackstone is a huge global investment firm, and Times of India Group has stakes in cricket teams in the UK’s Hundred league. The sale will need approval from the BCCI and India’s Competition Commission before the new owners officially take charge.
Aryaman Birla Becomes RCB Chairman at 28
Aryaman Birla, 28, is the new chairman of RCB after the Aditya Birla-led consortium bought the team for about ₹16,660 crore. He is the son of Kumar Mangalam Birla, head of the Aditya Birla Group. Aryaman played domestic cricket for Madhya Pradesh as a left-handed batter, appearing in nine first-class matches with 414 runs, including a century at Eden Gardens. He also played four List-A matches.
He was bought by Rajasthan Royals in the 2018 IPL auction for ₹30 lakh but never played a match and was released before the 2020 season. Around that time, he took a break from cricket to focus on his mental health due to severe anxiety.
Now, Aryaman works as a director at Aditya Birla Management Corporation Limited. He said it’s a privilege to lead RCB and that the partnership combines experience in sports, media, and consumer businesses to grow the franchise.
David Blitzer Joins RCB Ownership Through Bolt Ventures
David Blitzer is an American billionaire and sports investor. He co-founded Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and works with Blackstone Group. His net worth is around $4 billion. Blitzer owns parts of several major sports teams in the US, including the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, NHL’s New Jersey Devils, NFL’s Washington Commanders, MLB’s Cleveland Guardians, and MLS’ Real Salt Lake.
He studied at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. His involvement in RCB through Bolt Ventures adds an IPL stake to his global sports portfolio. The RCB sale was part of United Spirits moving away from cricket, seeing it as non-core to their business.
RCB Originally Bought by Vijay Mallya for ₹476 Crore, Later Managed by United Spirits and Diageo
RCB was originally bought by Vijay Mallya, the head of United Spirits, for ₹476 crore, making it the second-most expensive IPL team at the start. The team was named after Mallya’s liquor brand, Royal Challenge. After Mallya left USL around 2016 because of legal issues, full control of RCB went to United Spirits, which is now managed by Diageo.
Prathmesh Mishra was the chairman of Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited, the entity running RCB, and also the chief commercial officer of Diageo India. USL also managed the RCB women’s team, which has won the WPL.
FAQs
Q. How much was Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) sold for?
A. RCB was sold for about $1.78 billion, around ₹16,660 crore.
Q. Who bought RCB?
A. A group of Indian and international investors, including Aditya Birla Group, Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone’s BXPE.
Q. Who will run RCB under the new ownership?
A. Aryaman Birla will be chairman and Satyan Gajwani will be vice-chairman of the consortium running RCB.
Q. What achievements do RCB men and women have?
A. RCB men won their first IPL trophy in 2025, and RCB women are defending WPL champions.
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