A potentially transformative shift is looming in the world of sports, as one of the most storied clubs in the Premier League, Manchester United, is poised to make a major foray into the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The United co-owner Avram Glazer has tabled a substantial bid to acquire the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
As per reports in the media, Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer has emerged as a frontrunner in the pursuit of the IPL franchise, with a huge bid of Rs 16,303 crore ($1.8 billion) on the table, and if triumphant, this deal would mark a substantial crossover between two of the world's most burgeoning sports leagues.
RCB's current owners, Diageo, had secretly put the franchise up for sale in November and the process has garnered noteworthy interest, with nine prospective bidders vying for ownership.
As per reports, in November 2025, Manchester United holds its position as the second-most valuable football club, boasting a reported net worth of GBP 4.9 billion.
Glazer's bid currently remains non-binding, with no final agreement inked as yet. His bid has reportedly been shortlisted alongside four other contenders.
A prosperous acquisition would grant the Glazers authority over both RCB's IPL men's team and its WPL women's team. Notably, Lancer Capital have stakes in Desert Vipers, a team competing in the UAE's ILT20 league.