Vijay Mallya Reacts To RCB's Record-Breaking Sale: "Most People Laughed At Me"
Vijay Mallya, former owner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, took to social media to react to the franchise's record-breaking sale.
- Vijay Mallya, former owner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, reacted to the franchise's record-breaking sale
- A consortium, led by Aditya Birla Group, completed the acquisition of the franchise for 1.78 billion dollars
- When I bought the franchise in 2008 for INR 450 crores, most people laughed at me," he posted on X
Vijay Mallya, former owner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, took to social media to react to the franchise's record-breaking sale. A consortium, led by Aditya Birla Group, completed the acquisition of the franchise for 1.78 billion dollars (more than Rs 16,000 crore). The consortium also includes Blackstone, US-based investor David Blitzer's Bolt Ventures, and Times Of India. The deal made RCB the costliest franchise in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Mallya recalled how he bought the RCB franchise for Rs 450 crores and mentioned how the value has grown exponentially over the years.
"I would like to heartily congratulate the new owners of RCB. I wish them the very best and Godspeed with the most valuable IPL franchise. When I bought the franchise in 2008 for INR 450 crores, most people laughed at me and criticised my investment as a vanity project. Behind my much touted madnesses was building the Royal Challenge brand and hence I named the franchise RCB. Immensely gratifying to see my INR 450 crore investment grow to INR 16,500 crores. RCB will always remain a part of my DNA with indelible memories including picking the young Virat Kohli who is now amongst the best in the World. To all RCB fans who came on board during my stewardship and beyond, a grateful thank you and please continue to support RCB the Lion of Bengaluru. Namaskara," Mallya posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
I would like to heartily congratulate the new owners of RCB. I wish them the very best and Godspeed with the most valuable IPL franchise. When I bought the franchise in 2008 for INR 450 crores, most people laughed at me and criticised my investment as a vanity project. Behind my…
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) March 26, 2026
Earlier, IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals was acquired by US-based Kal Somani-led consortium for USD 1.63 billion (approx Rs 15,290 crore). The Somani-led consortium includes Rob Walton from the Walmart family and Hamp family (Ford motor company).
Somani is an Arizona-based tech entrepreneur who has founded IntraEdge (technology services and solutions), Truyo.Ai (data privacy rights and AI governance) and Academian (edtech services).
The other contenders to buy the team, which won the inaugural trophy in 2008, were the Times Internet-led consortium, the Aditya Birla Group and the Mittal family led by ArcelorMittal CEO Aditya Mittal.
(With PTI inputs)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru