₹32,000 Crore in One Day: IPL's Biggest Ownership Shake-Up Just Landed

The biggest drama ahead of IPL 2026 didn't happen on the pitch it happened in the boardroom. In a single day, two of cricket's most iconic franchises changed hands in deals totalling nearly USD 3.4 billion (₹32,000 crore), sending an unmistakable signal: IPL teams are now among the most coveted sporting assets on the planet.

Rajasthan Royals - USD 1.63 Billion (₹15,290 Crore)

US-based tech entrepreneur Kal Somani, already a minority investor since 2021, has led a consortium to acquire 100% ownership of the Royals making them the most expensive IPL franchise sale ever.

The consortium's backers include Rob Walton (Walmart heir and Denver Broncos owner) and Sheila Ford Hamp (Detroit Lions owner and Ford family member). That's NFL royalty going all-in on cricket.

Somani, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the founder of IntraEdge, Truyo.AI, and Academian, and a co-owner of Motor City Golf Club part of the TGL league founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Current owner Manoj Badale will remain in charge through the 2026 season, with the transfer taking effect after BCCI approval. For the inaugural 2008 champions, a new era begins.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru - USD 1.78 Billion (₹16,660 Crore)

In an even larger all-cash deal, a consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group has acquired RCB from United Spirits Limited, a Diageo subsidiary that decided cricket wasn't core to its beverage business.

The buyer group also includes the Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures (owned by global sports investor David Blitzer, who holds stakes in the Philadelphia 76ers, Crystal Palace, and Washington Commanders), and Blackstone's BXPE strategy led by CEO Viral Patel. The deal covers both the men's IPL and women's WPL teams.

Aryaman Vikram Birla - Kumar Mangalam Birla's son and a former first-class cricketer has been named RCB Chairman, with Satyan Gajwani of Times Internet as Vice-Chairman.

The timing is perfect. RCB won their maiden IPL title in 2025. The new owners inherit reigning champions and one of cricket's most passionate fanbases.

Why This Changes Everything

These two deals dwarf every previous IPL franchise transaction. When the BCCI sold the Lucknow and Ahmedabad teams in 2021, the combined price was around ₹12,715 crore. Franchise valuations have more than doubled in five years fuelled by a USD 6.2 billion media rights deal and close to a billion viewers in 2025.

Global private equity, American sports billionaires, and Indian conglomerates are all fighting for a seat at the IPL table. The league isn't just India's anymore. It belongs to the world.