RCB sues Uber over 'Royally Challenged' jibe in Travis Head's viral 'Hyderabaddie' ad

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has filed a lawsuit against Uber, alleging trademark disparagement in a recent advertisement featuring Sunrisers Hyderabad player Travis Head. The IPL franchise approached the Delhi High Court, seeking an interim injunction against the ad titled "Baddies in Bengaluru ft. Travis Head," which has gone viral online.

In its petition, RCB objected to a specific segment where signage was altered from "Bengaluru vs Hyderabad" to "Royally Challenged Bengaluru vs Hyderabad" using spray cans. RCB's legal team argued that Uber Moto, a commercial sponsor of Sunrisers Hyderabad, had no right to use or distort RCB’s trademark or any similar phrasing.

RCB's advocate emphasized that Uber’s use of the phrase "Royally Challenged" directly attacked the IPL team’s reputation and brand value, particularly as Travis Head, the star of the ad, previously played for RCB. They argued that the advertisement was crafted in a way that mocked the team’s identity and misused its goodwill.

Uber, defending its ad, described RCB’s lawsuit as “preposterous.” Their legal counsel contended that the advertisement fell within the domain of commercial free speech and did not amount to trademark infringement or disparagement. Uber maintained that the playful tone of the ad was not meant to harm RCB’s brand but to humorously promote its services.

The Delhi High Court, after hearing arguments from both sides, has reserved its order on the matter. Meanwhile, the video continues to rack up massive views across social media, with over 54 million views on Instagram alone, intensifying the public debate around sports marketing and brand sensitivities.

The case highlights the growing tensions between creative commercial promotions and the legal protections surrounding sports teams' trademarks and reputations.