RCB, the current IPL champions, are all set to get new owners ahead of the 2026 season. The owners, Diageo, have confirmed plans to sell both the men's and women's RCB teams. The process for the sale has already begun and is expected to get completed by March 31, 2026. Is the Sale behind Virat Kohli's future? One of the main reasons, according to a report by Exchange4Media, could be the nearing retirement of Virat Kohli. Experts believe that whenever Kohli exits, it is bound to have a big impact on the brand value of RCB. Indranil Das Blah, founder of AMP Sports and Entertainment, said: "RCB has stayed a top-three brand even without winning titles because of Virat. His retirement, whenever it happens, will definitely impact valuations." Also Read | Sanju Samson to Join CSK? RR and CSK in Talks Over Shocking Player Exchange Kohli has been the face of RCB since the very outset of IPL in 2008. He has never played for any other franchise, and his name is almost inseparable from the RCB brand. His fan following has been one of the biggest reasons behind the team's global popularity over the years. Following RCB's historic IPL 2025 title win, the franchise became the most-valued team in the league as brand value rose by 18.5% from $227 million in 2024 to $269 million in 2025. However, with Kohli now at the final stage of his career, Diageo may see this as the correct time to sell while the valuation remains high. The 37-year-old star has also announced his retirement from T20Is in 2024, and from Test cricket in 2025. At the moment, he plays only ODIs and the IPL. Many experts speculate that he could also retire from the IPL within three to four seasons. Despite this, some industry experts believe that Kohli might still remain a part of RCB in some role-maybe as a mentor or a brand ambassador-to maintain fan loyalty and brand stability. The change in ownership is a major moment in the history of RCB, and fans will be keenly observing who takes charge of the franchise ahead of IPL 2026.