‘RCB part of my DNA’ – Vijay Mallya reacts as franchise sells for $1.78 billion

Days before the opening match of the IPL 2026, RCB has sold to an alliance of Aditya Birla Group (ABG), The Times of India Group (TOI), Bolt Ventures (Bolt), and Blackstone's perpetual private equity strategy (BXPE, Blackstone) for USD 1.78 billion, which is around INR 16,700 crore. Hours after the completion of the buying process, Vijay Mallya, the former owner of the franchise, reacts through a ‘X’ post. 

Vijay Mallya was the founding owner of the IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), which he bought in 2008. In this social media post, Mallya said that RCB will always remain a part of his DNA. 

Vijay Mallya reacts after the Royal Challengers Bengaluru ownership change

On the early morning of March 26, Mallya shared his thoughts on the change of RCB ownership. Congratulating the new owners of the franchise, he wrote on his social media post that most people laughed and criticized him for investing INR 450 crores in buying the franchise. One of the reasons behind investing the amount was to establish Royal Challenge as a brand name; the franchise was named Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He is deeply satisfied to see the franchise, which he bought for INR 450 crores, grow to INR 16,500 crores.

“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 madness was building the Royal Challenge brand, and hence I named the franchise RCB,” Vijay Mallya said on ‘X’.

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“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,” he concluded.

How much Vijay Mallya bought RCB for, and early ownership details

According to media reports, Vijay Mallya established the franchise back in 2008, through United Breweries Group, for an estimated amount of $111.6 million (approx. INR 446 crore). Then, it was the second most expensive franchise in the inaugural Indian Premier League season.

The Mumbai Indians were considered the most expensive IPL franchise. In July 2013, British multinational Diageo acquired a controlling portion of the set-up. Later, in February 2016, following Mallya's resignation as Chairman of USL, Diageo took over the entire operational and management control. 

Fans react to Vijay Mallya’s heartfelt message

The heartfelt message of Mallya is followed by a lot of comments. “Profit stories sound better when liability chapters are closed. Indian banks & tax payers are still waiting. Please do the needful on priority,” one of the comments reads. While another one reads, “Two individuals made out as villains by the reckless formal and social media in India are Vijay Mallya and Lalit Modi."