DK Shivakumar Shuts Down RCB Ownership Rumors: “I Don’t Even Drink…”

In recent days, a wave of speculation swept across the cricket and political circles alike. The buzz? Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was reportedly eyeing a potential acquisition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). However, putting an end to the swirling rumors, Shivakumar has now firmly addressed the issue and rubbished all such claims in a straightforward—and somewhat humorous—manner.

Speaking to reporters, the senior Congress leader didn’t mince words: “I don’t even drink… how can I buy a liquor company’s cricket team?” His sharp response brought a mix of relief and laughter, especially among those closely following both Karnataka politics and IPL franchise news.

The Spark Behind the Rumor

The entire episode started when certain media reports suggested that United Spirits, the India-based subsidiary of UK liquor giant Diageo Plc, was considering offloading its stake in the RCB franchise. These whispers quickly escalated into headlines and social media theories. Some reports even hinted at political figures, including DK Shivakumar, showing interest in purchasing the team.

Given Shivakumar’s influential presence in Karnataka and his longstanding public image as a power player, the rumor gained momentum. Add to that the high-profile nature of IPL teams and their business potential, and the story was bound to catch fire.

But as is often the case in the age of viral news, speculation overtook facts.

United Spirits Issues Clarification

Before DK Shivakumar even addressed the media, United Spirits had already taken proactive steps to squash the rumors. The company issued a formal clarification to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and its Surveillance Department, confirming that there were no ongoing discussions about selling stakes in RCB.

In their official statement, they remarked:

“The Company would like to clarify that the aforesaid media reports are speculative in nature and it is not pursuing any such discussions.”

This clear-cut message put the brakes on theories of an imminent ownership change and hinted that the whole story was built on nothing more than assumption.

Shivakumar’s Sharp Rebuttal

During a press interaction, when asked about his alleged interest in buying RCB, he responded with a smirk:

“I don’t even drink… so how can I buy a team owned by a liquor company?”

His remark not only dismissed the rumors with finality but also offered a deeper insight into the cultural and ethical divide that may make such a transaction unthinkable for him personally.

It also subtly underlined the often-forgotten fact that cricket team ownership—especially in the IPL—is a high-stakes business venture that involves massive investments, brand partnerships, and years of planning. It’s not something that political leaders can simply walk into, despite their public influence.

Social Media Reacts

As expected, social media platforms quickly picked up the quote and made it viral. Memes, jokes, and commentary flooded Twitter and Instagram. Some netizens appreciated Shivakumar’s straightforwardness, while others used the moment to poke fun at the broader relationship between politics and cricket in India.

A user on X (formerly Twitter) quipped:

Another user joked:

“RCB might not win the IPL, but they sure win headlines every off-season!”

The meme fest aside, the public sentiment largely aligned with the belief that Shivakumar’s name had been dragged into an unlikely situation, probably for the sake of sensationalism.

The Politics-Cricket Intersection

While DK Shivakumar has nothing to do with cricket ownership, the rumor does open up a broader conversation about the increasing intersection between politics and sports in India.

It’s not unprecedented for politicians to be involved in cricket administration. In fact, many state cricket associations are helmed by political leaders. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) itself has seen political heavyweights like Anurag Thakur, Sharad Pawar, and Rajeev Shukla play prominent roles.

But owning an IPL team is a different ballgame altogether. It demands business acumen, a keen understanding of sports marketing, player management, and enormous financial resources. As of now, IPL franchises are largely run by corporate conglomerates, celebrities, or established sports entrepreneurs—not serving political leaders.

RCB: A Franchise with Massive Reach

RCB remains one of the most followed IPL teams despite never having won the tournament. With a massive fanbase, particularly in Karnataka, and legendary players like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers having represented the team, it holds immense brand value.

The recent rumors about a possible ownership shake-up stirred both excitement and concern among fans. The mere possibility of a political figure buying the team seemed to change the narrative around RCB, albeit briefly.

Now that both the alleged buyer and the actual owner have denied the reports, fans can return their focus to what matters most: cricket.

Final Word: A Rumor That Crashed

In the end, this entire episode serves as a reminder of how quickly unverified news can snowball in today’s hyperconnected world. What likely started as a speculative idea grew into a national headline before getting categorically denied by all parties involved.

His comment—”I don’t even drink”—might just go down as one of the more memorable political soundbites of the 2025 IPL off-season.

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