In a stunning development that bridges English football and Indian cricket, Avram Glazer, co-owner and executive chairman of Manchester United, has submitted a massive $1.8 billion bid to acquire the IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
The offer, roughly ₹16,303 crore via his Lancer Capital vehicle, positions him as a frontrunner amid high-profile acquisition talks.
The bid follows RCB's breakout successes: their first IPL title in 2025 and back-to-back Women's Premier League (WPL) wins, skyrocketing the franchise's value. Owned by Diageo India Pvt. Ltd. through United Spirits, RCB has fueled ownership speculation post-2025 IPL, drawing nine bidders with four shortlisted, including Glazer.
Glazer Family's Cricket Ambitions
The Glazers' cricket interest dates back years.
Avram already owns ILT20's Desert Vipers and eyed IPL expansion teams unsuccessfully in 2021, plus interest in Rajasthan Royals. This bid nearly doubles the $940 million paid for Lucknow Super Giants in 2021, reflecting IPL franchises' booming global appeal.
Potential IPL Impact with RCB deal
A successful deal could transform IPL dynamics by infusing Manchester United's brand power into Indian cricket, boosting RCB's global reach, European talent pipelines, and sponsorships. RCB, iconic for Virat Kohli and its fervent fans, evolved from glamour without silverware to recent champions.
Critics highlight the Glazers' divisive Manchester United tenure since 2005, plagued by fan protests over debt, underinvestment, and unrest, despite selling 26.2% to Sir Jim Ratcliffe in 2024 for £1.3 billion while retaining control. But buyin RCB will be a different proposition altogether, as the IPL runs by a strict adherence to a salary cap determined by the BCCI.
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