The Indian Premier League (IPL) is about to witness its highest ever franchise sale. Avram Glazer, the Executive Co-Chairman of Manchester United and owner of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has reportedly made an ambitious offer of $1.8 billion (approximately ₹16,303 crore) to acquire Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
The Man Behind the Billions
Avram Glazer (65) is the eldest son of the late Malcolm Glazer, who built a sports empire valued at over $10 billion. Avram’s personal wealth is estimated at $1.7 billion (around ₹15,400 crore), but he is part of the broader Glazer family interests.
- Manchester United: As Co-chairman, the club is now valued at $5.4 billion under his leadership.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The family-owned NFL team is estimated to be worth $5.2 billion and has won two Super Bowls.
- Cricket: Glazer owns the Desert Vipers from the UAE's ILT20 league and previously made a bid to participate in the IPL during the Ahmedabad/Lucknow auction in 2021.
Why the ₹16,303 Crore Bid for RCB?
The timing of Glazer’s bid through his investment firm Lancer Capital is strategic. RCB is currently at the brink of its “peak brand value”:
- The Double Champions: RCB is the only franchise to hold both the IPL (Men’s) and WPL (Women’s) trophies simultaneously.
- The Virat Kohli Effect: Even though Kohli stepped down as captain, he remains the biggest global cricket brand, providing RCB with a fanbase that rivals Manchester United’s digital reach.
- Diageo's Exit: Current owners United Spirits (Diageo) are looking to divest 'non-core businesses' and aim for a valuation ranging from $1.5 billion to $2 billion.
The Bidding War
Glazer is not alone in the competition. RCB is reportedly shortlisted to nine bidders, including:
- Adar Poonawalla: CEO, Serum Institute of India.
- Dr. Ranjan Pai (Manipal Group): A consortium with KKR and Temasek.
- Premji Invest & EQT: Aggressive private equity firms.
If Glazer’s offer succeeds, it would be the first time a major US-based sports dynasty with an IPL team has owned a controlling stake, marking the beginning of the league’s transformation into a truly global international sporting powerhouse.
