Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday dismissed rumours suggesting he is planning to buy the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise, saying he has no interest in the IPL team. “Why do I need RCB? I don’t even drink Royal Challenge,” Shivakumar said, referring to the popular liquor brand owned by United Spirits, the current owners of RCB. Speaking to the media, Shivakumar added, “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.” He further explained that he is already too busy to manage his own educational institutions. “I don’t have time for my own education institutions. I have resigned and left it for my other family members to take care of them,” he said. Shivakumar’s comments come just days after media reports claimed that United Spirits, the Indian arm of UK-based Diageo Plc, was looking to sell stakes in the RCB franchise. The speculation gained traction quickly, leading to questions about who might be in talks to acquire the team. However, United Spirits, which owns the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise, has firmly denied reports suggesting it is looking to sell its stake in the team. The company, which is the Indian arm of UK-based liquor giant Diageo Plc, issued an official statement to clear the air after media reports sparked speculation about a possible change in ownership. In a communication to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the BSE Surveillance Department, dated 10th June 2025, the company stated: “This has reference to your email communication dated 10th June 2025 seeking clarification from the Company on media reports in relation to potential stake sale of RCB. The Company would like to clarify that aforesaid media reports are speculative in nature and it is not pursuing any such discussions.”