Manchester United to buy RCB? Glazer brothers bid for IPL team: Report

Sports could be on the verge of one of the most interesting crossover deals in recent years, with Premier League giants Manchester United possibly stepping into the IPL ownership world. Reports claim United co-owner Avram Glazer has placed a huge bid to buy Indian Premier League franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

The timing is striking. RCB are coming off their long-awaited first IPL title win in 2025, a breakthrough that not only ended years of frustration but also pushed the franchise’s value to new heights.

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As per reports, Glazer has submitted an offer worth 1.8 billion dollars (roughly Rs 16,300 crore) through his investment company Lancer Capital, making him one of the strongest names in an ownership race that is now attracting attention well beyond India.

RCB’s current owners, Diageo (via United Spirits Ltd.), are believed to have put the franchise on the market in November, just months after the title triumph. Reports suggest as many as nine bidders have shown interest, including Indian pharma businessman Adar Poonawalla.

Why are RCB up for sale?

RCB’s long-awaited IPL 2025 triumph sparked a major rethink at the top, with Diageo reportedly deciding that the period right after a title win was the best time to explore a sale. RCB as a franchise, being one of the most popular ones in the IPL, is now sitting at peak market demand.

IPL teams are increasingly seen as major business assets, and RCB are among the league’s most valuable.

The Bengaluru side offers:

One of the largest fanbases in the IPL

Strong sponsorship and branding power

Successful men’s and women’s teams

A massive jump in value after winning the trophy

Reports also add that the bidding for RCB's sale has been highly competitive, ranging from 1 billion to 1.8 billion dollars, with United's valuation being one of the highest.

Can Man United buy RCB with this bid?

For now, Glazer’s offer is understood to be non-binding, meaning no final agreement has been signed yet. However, reports suggest his bid has been shortlisted along with four others, meaning he has moved into the next stage of negotiations.

If the deal goes through, it would include ownership of both:

RCB’s IPL men’s team

RCB’s WPL women’s team

The Glazers have already invested in cricket through Lancer Capital, which owns the Desert Vipers in the UAE’s ILT20 league. An IPL franchise has long been seen as the bigger goal.

Manchester United remain one of the richest clubs in global sport, valued at around £4.9 billion, while the Glazer family’s wealth reportedly crossed $10 billion in early 2025.

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