IPL Team Royal Challengers Bangalore owners: All you need to know about them

All is not good for the Bangalore Royal Challengers on the pitch. They have batted like only they can and then bowled like only they can (by that I mean terrible). Off the pitch, the situation is very similar. The ownership was in a precarious state, prior to the IPL, with more questions than answers. The biggest question to be answered was whether the misadventures of their former primary owner Dr. Vijay Mallya would lead to the RCB facing a similar fate as the Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals franchise. Those fears were allied very soon.

The Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited which runs the franchise, ie, the IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore. The Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL) is a fully owned subsidiary of United Spirits, which in turn is part of the Diageo Plc, a UK-based business group. RCSPL had Dr. Vijay Mallya as their director. But, with his not so subtle escape out of the country to London, saw him step down as the Director. Following his stepping down Amrit Thomas has been appointed as the Chairmen of RCSPL. Amrit, who is also the President and Chief Marketing Officer of United will be the main man in charge of the IPL franchise and the point of contact to BCCI.

This, however, hasn’t terminated the connection of Dr. Mallya to the Franchise, he holds an honorary position of chief mentor, as explained in a letter (according to the Indian Express.) to the BCCI by RCSPL. Dr. Mallya’s son Siddharth Mallya remains on the RCSPL board and has been previously seen passionately following the team’s progress from the stands in the IPL. As long as his involvement in the board continues Dr. Mallya will continue to hold his position as Chief Mentor.

The letter also states the limitations of his role as a Chief Mentor, which being the fact that he no longer has the authority of binding RCSPL or RCB and its operations, in terms of transfers or any other business related activities.

Royal Challengers Bangalore is one the most followed teams in the IPL. Though they have never won the IPL, they’re the second most expensive team after Mukesh Ambani's Mumbai Indians, have star-studded players in the form of AB De Villiers, Virat Kohli, and Chris Gayle. The franchise was acquired by Dr. Mallya in 2008 for USD 111.6 million.

Though there had been a lot of questions asked of the ownership of the team, Dr. Vijay Mallya has contributed greatly in the Auction Market, his highest being 9.5 crore buy of Shane Watson.

So, who is the current owner of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) IPL Team?

As of now they have made it clear there is no change in ownership pattern in RCSPL which is a subsidiary of United Spirits, which is controlled by Diageo,” the official said. United Spirits said Amrit Thomas, President, and chief marketing officer, has been appointed Chairman of RCB.