Who are the new owners of Royal Challengers Bengaluru?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru has entered a new era. A consortium of Indian and global investors has acquired full ownership of the franchise from United Spirits Limited (USL) in an all-cash deal worth approximately USD 1.78 billion (Rs. 16,660 crore), making it one of the most expensive transactions in IPL history.
The consortium at a glance
The new ownership group brings together corporate muscle, media reach and global sports investment experience:
Aditya Birla Group
A diversified Indian conglomerate with interests spanning metals, cement, telecom, financial services and retail. It provides the consortium with strong domestic business depth and capital backing.
Times of India Group (Bennett, Coleman & Co.)
One of India’s largest media houses, with experience in sports ownership through teams in Major League Cricket and The Hundred. Its presence signals a focus on content, fan engagement and brand amplification.
Bolt Ventures (David Blitzer)
A global sports investment firm led by David Blitzer, whose portfolio includes stakes in teams across leagues such as the Premier League, NBA, NFL and MLB. This adds proven expertise in multi-club ownership models and sports commercialisation.
Blackstone (BXPE – private equity strategy)
The world’s largest alternative asset manager, bringing institutional capital and long-term investment strategy to the table.
Leadership structure
The consortium has outlined a clear governance setup:
Aryaman Birla will serve as Chairman
Satyan Gajwani will be Vice-Chairman
Why this deal matters
At Rs. 16,660 crore, the valuation underlines how IPL franchises have evolved from cricket teams into premium global sports properties. For context, the combined sale value of the Lucknow and Ahmedabad franchises in 2021 was lower (Rs. 12,715 crore) than this single deal.
Who is Aryaman Birla?
Aryaman Birla, born July 9, 1997, is the son of Kumar Mangalam Birla and part of the Aditya Birla Group. Before moving into business, he briefly pursued professional cricket.
A left-handed opener, Aryaman represented Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket. He scored 414 runs in nine First-Class matches, including an unbeaten 103 against Bengal at Eden Gardens in 2018. He also shared the top order with Rajat Patidar, now RCB captain.
He was picked by Rajasthan Royals in the 2018 IPL auction but stepped away from the sport in 2019. His last competitive appearance came in a Ranji Trophy match for Madhya Pradesh in January 2019.
Since then, Aryaman has transitioned fully into business and currently serves as a director at the Aditya Birla Management Corporation.
Published on Mar 25, 2026