ArcelorMittal Eyes Rajasthan Royals Amid Bidding Competition

ArcelorMittal, led by Aditya Mittal, is reportedly in the race to acquire the Rajasthan Royals, with a bidding deadline approaching. This follows their recent investment in the Boston Celtics. The competition includes the Aditya Birla Group and Kal Somani, backed by Walmart's Rob Walton. The sale price for the Royals is expected to exceed $1 billion, marking a significant moment in IPL history as one of the original teams is sold to new ownership. The Raine Group is overseeing the sale process, which also includes the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 18, 2026, 12:33 IST

ArcelorMittal's Interest in Rajasthan Royals

ArcelorMittal, a leading global steel manufacturer under the leadership of Aditya Mittal, is reportedly in the running to acquire the Rajasthan Royals (RR). This development comes as the bidding process heats up, with the deadline for binding bids set for March 17. This interest follows their significant investment in the NBA team, the Boston Celtics, where the Mittal family was part of a consortium that made headlines with a $6.1 billion purchase, marking it as the highest price ever paid for a sports franchise.

According to a report from Money Control, it remains uncertain whether the Mittal family is pursuing this bid independently or in collaboration with other investors. They are expected to face stiff competition from the Aditya Birla Group, which has allied with American sports investor David Blitzer.

Additionally, Kal Somani, who already holds a stake in RR, is also in the bidding fray, supported by Walmart's Rob Walton. Other interested parties are also reportedly involved in the bidding process.

The Rajasthan Royals, inaugural champions of the IPL, are one of two franchises currently available for purchase, alongside the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The Jaipur-based team is predominantly owned (65%) by Emerging Media Venues, led by Manoj Badale. Reports suggest that the sale price for RR will exceed $1 billion, surpassing the amount for which Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) was acquired in 2022, as well as the valuation at which Torrent Group bought into the Gujarat Titans (GT) last year. Only the sale price of RCB is expected to be higher than that of RR in the history of the IPL.

The Raine Group is managing the sale processes for both RCB and RR, having previously facilitated the sales of prominent football clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United in recent years. This marks a significant moment as it is the first time one of the original seven IPL teams, still active in the league, is being sold to a new ownership group.