Vijay Mallya Reacts For The 1st Time After RCB Find New IPL Owners

Virat Kohli and Vijay Mallya in frame [Source: X]

A few days after the Royal Challengers Bangalore have found a new owner for the team, who bought the franchise for a whopping $2 billion or 18,776 crore INR, Vijay Mallya, the original owner of RCB, has now taken a sharp dig at critics who questioned his investment in the IPL 2025-winning franchise.

Notably, Vijay Mallya bought RCB for 450 crore INR in 2008 during the inaugural IPL edition and lost control of the team in March 2016 following financial and legal issues, where he had to step down from the board of United Spirits Limited. Later, the ownership was then fully transferred to the Diageo-controlled United Spirits.

The Bengaluru Ownership Journey Over The Years

After Diageo gradually took control of USL following Vijay Mallya's resignation in February 2016, the team officially owned and operated the franchise before handing over the ownership to new memebers with a record-breaking deal on March 24.

The previous owners sold 100% of the franchise to a new consortium of Aditya Birla Group, The Times Group, Blackstone, and Bold Ventures. 

Following this massive sale, Mallya took to his official social media handle to express pride in how his initial so-called ‘vanity project’ investment has now grown nearly 37 times in value.

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Vijay Mallya Takes Sharp Dig At Critics For RCB Investment

Mallya congratulated the new owners on X by saying, “I wish them the very best and Godspeed with the most valuable IPL franchise. When I bought the franchise in 2008 for 450 crore, most people laughed at me and criticized 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

@TheVijayMallya

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

Mallya further added that it was immensely gratifying to see the investment grow to 16,500 crore. Adding to the nostalgia and ownership bond, Mallya said that the team will always remain a part of him with indelible memories, including picking the young Virat Kohli.

“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 the fans who came on board during my stewardship and beyond, a grateful thank you and please continue to support the Lion of Bengaluru. Namaskara,” Mallya concluded.

New Deal Ahead Of IPL 2026 Breaks Records

This development has also now included a 540 crore payout for the Women's Premier League too and a 5% commission to the cricket body Board of Control for Cricket in India by the consortium of buyers, according to sources close to The Hindu.

Nevertheless, this is a massive, record-breaking deal that has now shut down Vijay Mallya's critics. RCB had to struggle for a 17-year-long period before they managed to bag a title in IPL 2025 by defeating Punjab Kings in the final.

Now, they look forward to defend their title as they are set to play their IPL 2026 campaign opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28.

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