"I bought RCB not for love of cricket, but to promote a liquor brand!" – Vijay Mallya reveals secret
SStv
June 6, 2025
Former owner Vijay Mallya has rubbished the fact that many believe about Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), one of the most popular franchises in the IPL. In a new interview that has gone viral on social media, he clarified that he bought RCB not out of love for Indian cricket but to market his liquor brand.
"I had bought a company called 'Shah Wallace'. It had the brand 'Royal Challengers Whisky'. I was looking for a new marketing strategy to push it. I liked the BCCI's idea and the IPL. I thought one of them could buy a team and elevate the brand at any cost," Mallya said.
RCB buys for Rs 600 crore, Bengaluru is the only option According to Mallya, he had bid for three franchises. Mumbai have lost him to Reliance by a very narrow margin. He finally chose Bangalore and named it "Royal Challengers Bangalore". This is a direct link to the liquor brand they were selling. "I bought the then U-19 player Virat Kohli for Rs 20. If you look at it today, you have to admit that it is the best investment," Mallya said
