DK Shivakumar, the deputy chief minister of Karnataka, has denied reports that he might purchase the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
His statement follows rumors that United Spirits, the Indian division of UK-based Diageo Plc, the proprietors of the RCB, was trying to sell franchise shares. United Spirits, however, denied any such reports in a clarification.
“This has reference to your email communication dated 10th June 2025 seeking clarification from the Company on media reports in relation to the potential stake sale of RCB. The Company would like to clarify that the aforesaid media reports are speculative in nature and it is not pursuing any such discussions," United Spirits told the Bombay Stock Exchange and BSE Surveillance Department.
Now, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar has played down the rumours of him buying RCB.
"I am not a mad man. I'm just a member of the Karnataka Cricket Association from my younger days, that's all. I don't have time, though I had offers to be part of the management... Why do I need RCB? I don't even drink Royal Challenge," Shivakumar said in a video posted by news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Delhi | "I am not a mad man. I'm just a member of the Karnataka Cricket Association from my younger days, that's all. I don't have time, though I had offers to be part of the management... Why do I need RCB? I don't even drink Royal Challenge," says Karnataka Deputy CM… pic.twitter.com/iZ1K1by206
— ANI (@ANI) June 11, 2025
Meanwhile, DK Shivakumar and Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah were present with the RCB team during their IPL 2025 celebration at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where 11 lives were lost outside the venue in a stampede.
