DK Shivakumar, the deputy minister -chief of Karnataka, rejected the current rumors binding it to a potential purchase of the IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Only a few days after winning their first IPL title, the holder based in Bengaluru is linked to a potential sale. The IPL franchise belongs to United Spirits Ltd, a subsidiary of the British company Diageo PLC.
A recent Bloomberg report said that the British company explores the possibility of selling all its participation in the IPL Franchise as it faces the regulatory pressure from the Ministry of Health of the Union.
Your daily cricket dose!
The report also indicates that the company wanted to capitalize on the arrow value of the franchise after the historic triumph of the IPL. Things are not doing well for Diageo either due to a drop in premium alcohol sales. The media said the company was looking to sell royal benggaluru challengers to release funds and focus on its main operations.
I am not a crazy man – DK Shivakumar on the purchase of royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
As soon as the reports emerged, the name of DK Shivakumar began to go around as a potential buyer. However, the Karnataka deputy canceled the rumors with a humorous response. He moved away from speculation and clearly indicated that he was not interested in buying RCB.
“I’m not crazy. I’m just a member of the Karnataka Cricket Association of my youth, that’s all. I don’t have time, although I had offers to be part of the management … Why do I need RCB? I don’t even drink the Royal Challenge,” said Shivakumar.
#WATCH | Delhi | “I am not a madman. I am only a member of the Karnataka Cricket Association of my youth, that’s all. I don’t have time, even if I had offers to be part of the direction … Why do I need RCB? I don’t even drink the Royal Challenge,” said the Karnataka CM. pic.twitter.com/iz1k1by206
– Ani (@ani) June 11, 2025
Shivakumar was recently under the spotlight following the deadly stampede in Bengaluru during the celebration of the victory. He was inside Mr. Chinnaswamy’s stadium with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team when the Stampede broke out and left 11 dead and more than 30 injured.
Meanwhile, Diageo also responded to rumors and categorically refused them. In a letter to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the ESS monitoring service on Tuesday, June 10, a Diageo India official said that media reports on the sale of RCB are speculative in nature.
“The company wishes to specify that the aforementioned media reports are of a speculative nature and that it does not pursue such a discussion. It is for your information and your files,” said Cricbuzz, secretary to Mital Sanghvi, the secretary of the company, as indicated by Cricbuzz.
Read also: Surav Ganguly destroys Gambir, Agarkar on the Snub of Shreyas Iyer test