Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), one of the Indian Premier League’s most distinguished franchises, is on the verge of a major shift in ownership. Following weeks of speculation, Lalit Modi, the former IPL chairman, has suggested that the current owners might soon opt to sell RCB, only a few months after the team claimed its historic first IPL title earlier this year.

RCB’s remarkable achievement of winning their first IPL title, celebrated by fans and cricketing figures alike, now aligns with a potential business move that could significantly impact the future of the IPL.

“There have been a lot of rumours about the sale of an @iplt20 franchise, specifically @royalchallengers.bengaluru. In the past, offers were denied, but it seems the owners have finally decided to take it off their balance sheet and sell it.” Lalit Modi said in an Instagram post on Monday, September 29.

“Having won the IPL last season, with a strong fan base, an excellent team and a great management structure, it could be the only franchise available as a whole. I am sure one of the big global funds or a sovereign fund would be eager to include them in their investment strategy. There can be no better investment opportunity than this. Good luck to whoever secures it. It will definitely set a new record valuation and reinforce that the IPL is not only the fastest-growing global sporting league, but also the most valuable. The new price set by #RCB will become the floor price for all teams.”

In June, a report indicated that Diageo Plc, which owns RCB through United Spirits Ltd., had begun initial discussions with advisors to consider various options for an exit, including a complete sale.

During a podcast last month, former Australia captain Michael Clarke, speaking on behalf of Lalit Modi, suggested that if RCB were to be sold, the price should not be less than USD 2 billion. He further indicated that, if the sale happened next year, the franchise could be valued at around USD 2.5 billion.

With Virat Kohli at the helm, RCB are one of the most commercially viable franchises, enjoying a massive following across social media platforms.