New Delhi, June 10 -- After nearly a decade of backing one of cricket's most recognizable franchises, global liquor giant Diageo is weighing a partial stake sale in Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), just days after the team clinched its first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title. The timing may be no coincidence.

With team valuations now ranging from $1.5-2 billion for top-tier franchises like Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, and amid rising political and reputational risks, Diageo, via its Indian arm United Spirits, may see this as the ideal moment to monetise RCB's peak brand value.

Mint reported in January that the RCB franchise had seen an 87% rise in brand value since the IPL's inception, with a 67% jump in the last year ...