Just a week since Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won its inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) title, rumors emerged that the owners of the team, Diageo Plc, wanted to sell the franchise. The British beverages firm has owned RCB for some years now, but news sent fans of the Virat Kohli-led side into shock. The festivities following RCB's first title success turned tragic. One day after their win, the team organized a ceremonial parade and celebration at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. But it concluded in a stampede that killed 11 individuals and hurt more than 50. The Bengaluru government and police were both criticized following the disaster, but reports asserted that RCB had a major part to play in the blame. Many believe Diageo’s reported decision to sell the franchise is a way to step back from controversy. Also Read | AB de Villiers Returning to RCB? Mr. 360 Teases Exciting News RCB’s Brand Value and Lalit Modi’s Prediction RCB’s brand value has been revealed to be $269 million (INR 2,373 crore). Despite this, some reports claimed the franchise could be sold for $2 billion (INR 17,643 crore). Diageo denied these reports, but IPL founder Lalit Modi believes the figure is fair. On Michael Clark's Beyond 23 Podcast, Lalit Modi said: "We (IPL) are only 18 years old. We have just started the fan following; we have just started the frenzy. It was unfortunate what happened with the stampede in Karnataka after RCB won. But you will see that passion grow across the country, across the world." Modi also foresaw RCB's worth would only increase in the years to come, he said: "If RCB does want to sell, they would be stupid to sell it for less than 2 billion dollars. If it is next year, then 2.5 billion, and if two years later, it would be 3 billion, and if it is four years later, then four billion dollars – take it in writing from me. It will grow by half a billion dollars a year." With RCB at last claiming their first title, the worth of the team is likely to continue growing. As popularity for Indian Premier League (IPL) increases globally, the brand of RCB will most likely be one of the costliest in the league.