The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have long been known as the IPL’s most talked-about underachievers. But now, just months after finally clinching their first IPL title in 2025 and following it up with a second WPL championship, RCB finds itself at the heart of one of the most intense franchise sale processes in Indian sports history. The current owners, Diageo, decided to reassess their holdings after their historic win, but what started as a review has turned into a full-blown auction, with some of the biggest conglomerates in the world vying for the chance to own the IPL 2025 champions. Are Manchester United Owners Set to Buy RCB? According to a report from State of Play, nine parties have put in non-binding bids for RCB, with offers ranging from $1 billion to $1.8 billion. Non-binding bids mean that neither the buyer nor the seller is legally required to go through with the deal. Among these bidders, the most aggressive offer is thought to be from the Glazer family, who own Manchester United, through Avram Glazer’s Lancer Capital. Also Read | Watch: Emotional Mandhana-Jemimah Moment Goes Viral Their bid, estimated at around $1.8 billion, puts them at the top of the current valuation spectrum. For those who might not know, the Glazers are already involved in cricket, owning the Desert Vipers franchise in the ILT20, who are the reigning champions of that tournament. Back in late 2021, the Glazer family tried to break into the IPL during the auction for two new franchises but came up short. They submitted the lowest of the nine qualifying bids (₹4,128.65 crore) and lost out to the RPSG Group (Lucknow) and CVC Capital (Ahmedabad). Now, it seems the Manchester United owners have a better grasp of what an IPL team is worth. The Glazers’ bid of $1.8 billion, which translates to about INR 16,321 crore, places them at the forefront of the current bidding war, though it still falls short of the $2.1 billion (over INR 1,800 crore) valuation that Diageo is believed to have set following RCB’s IPL 2025 title victory. Earlier reports indicated that Diageo, through United Spirits, has already shared confidential information memorandums with potential buyers, with Citigroup stepping in as the transaction advisor. This move confirmed that the franchise is no longer just under review; it’s officially on the market. Expectations are that bids could reach around the $2 billion mark, fueled by RCB’s strong commercial presence, dedicated fanbase, and its connection to Virat Kohli.