RCB on sale? Diageo reportedly exploring sale after franchise's IPL triumph, $2 billion valuation
Bengaluru: Days after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title, their current owner, Diageo Plc, is reportedly considering selling the franchise, according to a report by The Economic Times.
Sources familiar with the matter have said that Diageo, which owns RCB through its Indian subsidiary United Spirits Ltd, has begun consulting potential advisers to evaluate strategic options. These range from a partial stake sale to a full divestment. While no final decision has been made, the company is believed to be seeking a valuation of up to $2 billion for the popular franchise.
This development comes amid a broader regulatory crackdown by India’s health ministry on the indirect promotion of alcohol and tobacco brands in sports, particularly in the IPL. Diageo is reportedly reassessing its non-core assets as part of a strategic review, especially as its premium liquor business faces pressure in key markets such as the United States.
RCB was initially purchased by Vijay Mallya, then a prominent liquor baron and owner of Kingfisher Airlines. Following the collapse of Mallya’s business empire, Diageo took control of United Spirits and, subsequently, the RCB franchise.
Despite being one of the most followed teams in the IPL, thanks to stars like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Faf du Plessis, RCB had long struggled to win a title, until their recent 2025 victory.
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FIR filed against journalist Abhisar Sharma by Guwahati police
Guwahati (PTI): The Guwahati Crime Branch on Thursday registered a First Information Report (FIR) against journalist and YouTuber Abhisar Sharma on the basis of a complaint filed by a local resident alleging that he had uploaded a video ridiculing both the Assam and the Union governments, a senior police officer said.
The FIR invokes Sections 152 (sedition), 196 and 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
According to the complaint, Sharma uploaded a video on YouTube accusing Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of pursuing communal politics.
Sharma also mocked the principle of Ram Rajya and claimed that the government "survives only on Hindu-Muslim polarisation," the complainant said.
Complainant Alok Baruah, a 23-year-old resident of Nayanpur, Ganeshguri, stated that the remarks were made with mala fide intent to disrepute elected governments and have the effect of provoking communal sentiments.
He alleged that such comments are capable of inflaming passions, creating distrust against lawfully established authorities and promoting enmity between religious groups.
The FIR further records that the video is being discussed in the complainant’s locality and that people are talking about a religion-based divide after viewing it which may disturb public peace and harmony.
The complainant alleged that the offences committed by Sharma are punishable under Sections 152 (which replaced the repealed sedition law and criminalises acts that endanger the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India), 196 (offence of promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste, or community) and 197 (dealing with with imputations and assertions that are prejudicial to national integration) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
