Billionaire David Blitzer intensifies competition for Indian Premier League ownership stakes. Blitzer's BOLT Ventures is conducting due diligence on Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals, with valuations reaching approximately $1.8 billion for the reigning IPL champions. The bidding war has attracted significant global capital, including interest from Manchester United co-chairman Avram Glazer, investment firms KKR and Blackstone, reflecting the league's explosive growth. The IPL's record $18.5 billion valuation demonstrates the franchise's commercial appeal to institutional investors seeking exposure to India's lucrative sports market. Diageo's strategic review of its Bengaluru holding signals broader portfolio restructuring among stakeholders prioritizing core business operations over sports assets.
