New Delhi, June 10 -- After nearly a decade of backing one of cricket's most recognizable franchises, global liquor giant Diageo may be considering a partial stake sale in Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)-just days after the team clinched its first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title. While its Indian arm United Spirits has called recent media reports "speculative," the timing has raised eyebrows in industry circles.

With top-tier IPL team valuations now ranging from $1.5-2 billion for franchises like Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, and amid rising political and reputational risks, market watchers believe Diageo may see this as an opportune moment to monetise RCB's peak brand value.

Mint reported in January that the RCB fran...