Aditya Birla Group Acquires Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Record $1.78 Billion
Historic Franchise Acquisition
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has officially been acquired by a consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group from United Spirits, a subsidiary of Diageo, for an astounding $1.78 billion (approximately INR 16,739 crore). This transaction marks the highest price ever paid for a franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history.
The ownership transition occurred on March 24, just days before RCB's season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The Aditya Birla Group, in collaboration with American entrepreneur David Blitzer, Times of India Group, and Blackstone, successfully outbid a rival group led by Ranjan Pai, which included support from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Temasek, as well as another consortium involving EQT and Premji Invest.
Leadership Changes at RCB
With the acquisition, the consortium has announced a new leadership structure for RCB. Aryaman Vikram Birla has been appointed as the chairman of the franchise. His background as a former cricketer and his current role as Director at Aditya Birla Group will be instrumental in guiding both the men's and women's teams.
Additionally, Satyan Gajwani, chairman of Times Internet, will serve as vice chairman. Key partners in the consortium, including David Blitzer and Viral Patel, will also play significant roles in shaping RCB's future.
A Legacy of Ownership
RCB was originally owned by Vijay Mallya through United Spirits, which acquired the franchise during the inaugural IPL season in 2008. Following Diageo's takeover of United Spirits, the ownership transitioned to them.
Over the years, RCB has become one of the most valuable and popular franchises in IPL history, boasting a vast global fanbase and achieving its first title victory in 2025.
Aryaman Vikram Birla: From Cricketer to Chairman
Aryaman Vikram Birla's journey from a professional cricketer to the chairman of a leading IPL franchise is remarkable, showcasing a unique blend of sports and business expertise.
Despite being the son of industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla, Aryaman forged his own path, utilizing his cricket experience and corporate leadership skills at the Aditya Birla Group. He played for Madhya Pradesh in List A and Ranji Trophy, accumulating 414 runs in First-Class Cricket.
In 2019, he was acquired by the Rajasthan Royals for INR 30 lakhs but did not play in any matches and subsequently took a break from cricket due to mental health concerns.
Transition to Corporate Leadership
Following his sabbatical from cricket, Aryaman shifted his focus to the family business, which has evolved into a global conglomerate since its founding in 1857. He has been appointed as a director on several boards within the Aditya Birla Group, including Grasim Industries and Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail.
Aryaman holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Master's in Global Finance from Bayes Business School, enhancing his corporate and financial knowledge.
Now, as the chairman of RCB, he is the second-youngest chairman in IPL history, following Keshav Bansal, who took over the Gujarat Lions at age 24 in 2016.