Mumbai (Commonwealth Union)_ The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), one of the Indian Premier League’s most popular teams, is on the lookout for a new owner. Interest is pouring in from both Indian and international buyers, with one name standing out: Indian-American businessman Sanjay Govil. According to reports, Govil, who co-owns the Welsh Fire franchise in England’s The Hundred tournament, is a serious contender and has the financial resources to acquire the IPL team, which is currently valued at $2 billion. RCB, champions of the IPL for the first time this year after a 17-year wait, is expected to welcome new ownership by the 2026 IPL and WPL seasons. Diageo, the global beverage giant that owns both the men’s and women’s teams, has started the formal process of selling the franchise, aiming to complete the transition by March 2026.
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Sanjay Govil is already a notable figure in the cricketing world. He is the founder and chairman of Infinite Computer Solutions, a technology services company that provides digital engineering and IT solutions globally. He is also the creator and CEO of Zyter, a platform that provides digital health solutions using linked corporate technologies. Govil has left his imprint on cricket outside India. He owns the Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket in the United States and co-owns the Welsh Fire in The Hundred with Glamorgan Cricket Club. His investments have helped to promote cricket in non-traditional regions, establishing him as one of the few corporate executives with worldwide expertise in the sport. With RCB’s enormous fan base around the world, Govil’s international perspective could be a valuable asset for the franchise.
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A graduate of Auburn University with a degree in electrical engineering, Govil also holds advanced degrees from Syracuse University and the Wharton School of Business. His professional experience includes stints at IBM and Verizon, giving him a strong foundation in technology and corporate management. In the UK, Govil purchased a 49% stake in Welsh Fire for £33 million. While both Welsh Fire and Washington Freedom do not comment on potential acquisitions, Glamorgan Cricket Club has acknowledged Govil’s commitment to developing global cricket franchises and participating in trends that consolidate cricket assets worldwide.
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Diageo’s decision to sell RCB is part of a broader strategy to focus on its core business. In a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the company confirmed that it is reviewing its investment in the franchise and expects the change of ownership to conclude by early 2026. The multinational had inherited the team from United Spirits, formerly owned by Vijay Mallya, who bought RCB in 2008 for $111.6 million. Diageo became the sole owner in 2016 after Mallya stepped down. For RCB, new ownership could bring more than just a fresh name on the roster. It might suggest increased investment, new marketing techniques, and a more deliberate approach to team building. Fans who have stuck with the team through highs and lows, including players like Virat Kohli, may now see a more consistent, winning approach under new leadership.
The acquisition of RCB by Sanjay Govil and his colleagues will change the face of the franchise, as they will integrate Sanjay’s international experience in cricket with innovative management practices to establish a new era for the team and allow the IPL to expand globally. With this acquisition, not only will the new ownership group remodel the entire franchise, but it will also emphasize the significant impact that owners outside of India will have in the expansion of the IPL across all sectors, including professional and amateur cricket, and what roles the new owners will play in controlling the future of the game of cricket in India and around the globe. The prospective acquisition of RCB delineates the IPL’s transition from being merely a domestic competition to a substantial international sports and business opportunity. As investors like Sanjay Govil jump into the mix, there is no doubt that RCB’s future holds as much excitement off-the-field as it does on-the-field.
