United Spirits issues clarification after reports of parent company Diageo pondering RCB stake sale following IPL 2025 win

United Spirits have issued a clarification after reports of parent company Diageo thinking of a stake sale of IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerged. RCB won their maiden IPL title by beating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final of the recently concluded season.

A report by Bloomberg had suggested that Diageo plc, the parent company of the franchise, was looking at a possible sale of part or all of the franchise. Daigeo is a British distiller that owns the franchise through United Spirits Ltd, its Indian unit.

However, United Spirits issued a clarification, denying the reports. In a regulatory filing with BSE, United Spirits stated that the reports were speculative and there were no discussions about a stake sale of the franchise.

“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,” United Spirits clarified in a statement (via livemint).

The report by Bloomberg stated that the company was seeking a valuation of $2 billion for the franchise. The Indian Health Ministry is reportedly looking to ban the promotion of tobacco and alcohol brands in the IPL, following which reports of RCB's parent company looking to sell the franchise emerged.

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RCB clinch maiden IPL title in historic season

RCB clinched their maiden IPL title after beating PBKS by six runs in the final to end an 18-year wait for the trophy on Tuesday, June 3. It was a historic campaign for the team as they finally won the title after coming close thrice in 2009, 2011, and 2016.

RCB also set several records in their title-winning run. They became the first team to have a 100% away record in the league stages, winning all of their seven away games this season. They also became the first team to have ten players scoring half-centuries in a single season, and the first team to have nine different players win the 'Player of the Match' award in a season.

RCB finished second in the league stage with nine wins and 19 points from 14 matches. They won Qualifier 1 and eventually the final as well.