The Indian Premier League now draws more international viewers than ever before because American billionaire David Blitzer investigates buying a controlling interest in either Royal Challengers Bengaluru or Rajasthan Royals before the 2026 season.

Blitzer, who co-founded Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, investigates both franchises through his due diligence process. His family office BOLT Ventures has reached advanced stages of consortium bidding. The bidding competition has become more intense because mid-March serves as the deadline for submitting final offers.

The competition presents a challenging task. Avram Glazer who serves as co-chairman of Manchester United and Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner, has made his first offers for both IPL teams. The evaluation process by KKR and Blackstone shows how IPL teams attract financial interest from major global investors.

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RCB and Royals emerge as premium sports assets

United Spirits Limited, which operates RCB through its ownership of Diageo, has received a valuation of approximately $1.8 billion for the franchise. The franchise generated around $56 million in revenue during the 2024–25 cycle, reflecting a sharp rise over the past three years. Both Rajasthan Royals and their opponent team show strong financial growth which creates appealing investment options for investors.

The IPL itself was valued at $18.5 billion last year by Houlihan Lokey, cementing its status as one of the world’s most lucrative sports leagues. IPL franchises now exist as valuable sports properties because of their rapid revenue expansion and their growing worldwide fan base and their strong business partnerships.

Any ownership change would require approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The bidding process has reached its peak because of increasing competition which will determine who controls all IPL franchises and this development shows that cricket's biggest league has become a major player in international investment.