KKR Ownership Move Could Reset Valuation Benchmarks; What It Means for CSK Unlisted Shares

19 January 2026

The IPL ecosystem’s total business value jumped to $18.5 billion in 2025, with franchise valuations scaling up as media rights, sponsorship deals and fan engagement expand. Amid this growth, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) became the most valuable franchise at $269 million, overtaking Chennai Super Kings (CSK), which was valued around $235 million. 

This macro shift underscores two things:

• franchises trade at real brand multiples

• ownership changes now drive unlisted pricing signals

CSK’s unlisted share price has climbed sharply trading up ~25% to ₹200–205, implying a valuation around ₹6,300–₹7,800 crore in private markets.

This development moves IPL valuation discussions from “sports passion” to institutional asset valuation:

• Ownership deals (KKR/RCB/RR) are becoming reference points for private pricing

• CSK unlisted investors may see improved pricing as valuation benchmarks shift up

Even if CSK’s on-field performance dipped in 2025 (which affected brand rankings), the broader business economics of IPL teams' annuity media rights, central revenue distribution, and sponsorship inflows  remain strong.