RCB Stake Sale Heats Up: Bids Due February, $2 Billion Valuation Sought

• United Spirits (USL) is accelerating the sale of its subsidiary Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL), which owns IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
• Initial bids for RCB are requested by early February, with USL seeking a valuation of approximately $2 billion for a 100% stake.
• Over 50 Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) have been signed by various investors, including Adar Poonawalla, who publicly expressed interest.
• Other IPL teams, Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders, are also planning to sell stakes, indicating a growing M&A trend in the league.
• The IPL's business value has surged to $18.5 billion, with RCB leading in brand value at $269 million, making franchises attractive due to stable revenues and controlled costs.

Why It Matters: The sale of RCB is progressing rapidly, attracting significant investor interest and highlighting the IPL's booming value.