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Fair trade regulator CCI yesterday cleared the acquisition of IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore by a consortium of Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures and Blackstone in a Rs 16,660 crore all-cash deal.
In March this year, United Spirits Ltd (USL) announced the sale of IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in a Rs 16,660 crore (approx. $ 1.78 billion) all-cash deal to the consortium.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said it has approved the proposed deal, according to a PTI report from New Delhi yesterday.
“CCI approves acquisition of 100 per cent shareholding of Royal Challengers Sports by a consortium comprising Big Banyan Holdings, Bolt IPL Holdings, Times Internet, Times Cricket, ICQ Opportunities, Asia Investment Topco II and others,” the regulator said in a post on X.
Deals beyond a certain threshold require approval from the regulator, which keeps a tab on unfair business practices as well as promotes fair competition in the marketplace.
Meanwhile, as earlier reported in the Indianbroadcastingworld.com in June, Indian Premier League champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru had no immediate plans to follow rivals and buy franchises in overseas leagues, as per co-owner Satyan Gajwani who added the new owners are prioritising fan engagement over expansion.
A consortium including the Aditya Birla Group, Times of India, Bolt Ventures and Blackstone bought the franchise for $1.78 billion in March 2026, ending United Spirits’ tenure, the IBW had stated quoting a Reuters report.
Despite IPL teams, including Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, building a presence in leagues in the United States, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the Caribbean, RCB are taking a cautious approach, a Reuters report from Bengaluru stated yesterday.
“Don’t think we have any plans as of now. We’re a bit ahead of ourselves as we’re still focusing on closing the transaction and then thinking about where we’re going from there,” Times Internet Chairman Gajwani told Reuters.
