United Spirits denies parent Diageo eyeing RCB stake sale: 'Not pursuing any such discussions'

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's players pose for photographs with the trophy after winning the Indian Premier League T20 final cricket match against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 4, 2025. (AFP)

United Spirits on Tuesday denied reports of its parent company Diageo eyeing stake sale in IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

In a regulatory filing, United Spirits said, “This has reference to your email communication dated 10th June 2025 seeking clarification from the Company on media reports in relation to potential stake sale of RCB. The Company would like to clarify that aforesaid media reports are speculative in nature, and it is not pursuing any such discussions.” The statement was issued on s day when the company stocks registered a five-month-high after reports suggested that Diageo is looking to sell the IPL franchise either fully or partially. The buzz around stake sale surfaced days after RCB ended its 18-year drought to win its maiden title in a thrilling grand finale at Narendra Modi Stadium on June 4.

Earlier in the day, a Bloomberg report had said that Diageo is looking for potential suitors for its IPL franchise with a valuation of around Rs 17,000 crore.

RCB was one of the founding franchises back in 2008 when the league came into existence. Kingfisher’s Vijay Mallya was the original owner of the team However, after the debt crisis hit Mallya with Kingfisher folding, Diageo came into picture. The franchise has one of the largest fan bases and is among the most followed on the social media.