RCB Sale Buzz: Manchester United Owner Avram Glazer Bids ₹16,303 Crore for IPL Champions

 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru players celebrating IPL 2025 title amid reports of Avram Glazer bidding to buy the franchise


Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are once again dominating headlines—but not for their on-field heroics this time. According to reports in The Week, Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer has submitted a massive bid worth ₹16,303 crore (approximately $1.8 billion) to acquire the IPL 2025 champions. If completed, the deal would rank among the largest franchise acquisitions ever seen in Indian sport.

The reported bid places RCB in an elite global bracket of sporting assets, underlining how dramatically IPL franchise valuations have surged over the past decade.

Glazer Family Among Multiple Interested Buyers



The Glazer family is understood to be one of nine parties that have submitted non-binding bids for RCB. Valuations reportedly range from $1 billion to $1.8 billion, reflecting intense competition for one of the IPL’s most commercially powerful teams.

While these offers are not legally binding at this stage, their scale signals strong confidence in the IPL’s long-term growth and RCB’s unique market position. With bids approaching the $2 billion mark, the sale process is already being described as a landmark moment for Indian sports business.

Expanding the Glazers’ Cricket Ambitions



Avram Glazer’s interest in Indian cricket is not new. Through Lancer Capital, he already owns the Desert Vipers in the UAE’s ILT20 league. However, an IPL franchise has long been considered the Glazer family’s ultimate target in global cricket investments.

In addition to RCB, reports suggest the Glazers are also exploring a potential acquisition of Rajasthan Royals, indicating a broader strategic push into the Indian cricket ecosystem. The IPL’s massive broadcast reach, global fanbase, and commercial upside make it an increasingly attractive asset for international sports investors.

Lessons from a Failed 2021 IPL Bid

The Glazer family previously attempted to enter the IPL in 2021, when two new expansion teams were introduced. Their bid of ₹4,128.65 crore failed to secure a franchise, with the teams ultimately going to RPSG Group (Lucknow Super Giants) and CVC Capital (Gujarat Titans).

Five years later, the landscape has changed dramatically. IPL franchise valuations have exploded, media rights have hit record highs, and teams are now viewed as long-term global sports brands rather than just cricketing entities. The Glazers’ reported $1.8 billion bid reflects this shift in perception.

RCB’s On-Field Success Fuels Valuation Surge

RCB’s recent on-field transformation has been central to the spike in interest. After years of being labelled the IPL’s most high-profile underachievers, the Bengaluru-based franchise finally clinched their maiden IPL title in 2025. They followed it up by securing a second Women’s Premier League (WPL) crown, further strengthening the brand’s competitive credentials.

This success has reinforced RCB’s already massive fan following, one of the largest and most engaged in the league. The enduring star power and brand value of Virat Kohli continue to anchor RCB’s global appeal, making the franchise a marketer’s dream.

Diageo Moves Toward a Full Exit

RCB is currently owned by Diageo through its Indian arm, United Spirits. While the company initially began a strategic review of its sports investments, it has now moved decisively toward a full sale.

Confidential Information Memorandums (CIMs) have reportedly been circulated to potential buyers, with Citigroup acting as the transaction advisor. This confirms that RCB is firmly on the market and that the sale process is being handled at the highest professional level.

A Defining Moment for Indian Sports Business

With bids nearing $2 billion, the potential sale of Royal Challengers Bengaluru is shaping up to be one of the most consequential franchise transactions Indian sport has ever seen. Beyond cricket, it highlights the IPL’s evolution into a global sports property capable of attracting elite international investors.

Whether or not the Glazers ultimately succeed, the RCB sale underscores a new reality: IPL teams are no longer just cricket franchises—they are billion-dollar global assets.

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