By Rohit - Apr 18, 2025 05:41 PM
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is no stranger to on-field drama and off-field controversies. But this time, the battleground has shifted from the pitch to the courtroom. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has taken legal action against Uber over a viral promotional video that stars Travis Head — the Australian opener currently representing Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
The ad, titled “Baddies in Bengaluru ft. Travis Head”, was created to promote Uber Moto. It features Travis Head in a flashy white shirt, gold chains, and street-style swagger, portraying a ‘Hyderabaddie’ — a play on words referencing both Hyderabad and the ‘baddie’ persona.
The segment in question shows Head and his crew sneaking into a stadium ahead of an RCB vs SRH match. They are seen spray-painting signage, altering it from
"Bengaluru vs Hyderabad" to “Royally Challenged Bengaluru vs Hyderabad.” This phrase is a direct spoof of RCB’s official name, Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
RCB, understandably, didn’t find the joke amusing. The franchise has alleged trademark misuse and image disparagement, stating that the advertisement harms its brand reputation.
RCB filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, arguing that Uber — as a commercial sponsor of SRH — has no legal standing to use or distort RCB’s trademark, even for satirical purposes. Representing RCB, advocate Shwetasree Majumder called the ad a “targeted attack” masked as humour.
"You had millions of creative ways to advertise," Majumder argued. "Did you have to do it using my trademark? And using someone who was earlier with me?”
RCB has asked the court to impose an interim injunction on Uber, essentially a restraining order to take the video down or halt its circulation.
Uber, however, sees things differently. Labeling the suit as “preposterous,” Uber’s counsel claimed the video falls under the ambit of commercial free speech and parody.
“In the past, teams have challenged RCB, and media has often used the term ‘Royally Challenged’ in jest. This is no different,” Uber’s lawyer said. He also pointed out that Travis Head was not mocking RCB but merely suggesting he would be a tough opponent during the game.
Uber’s defense hinges on satire being a valid form of advertising — especially in a format like the IPL where playful banter is often part of the branding.
What adds an ironic twist to the story is Travis Head’s previous association with RCB. The Australian cricketer has played for RCB in earlier IPL seasons before joining SRH. This former connection has only added fuel to the fire, with RCB questioning Uber’s decision to feature a past player in a seemingly mocking narrative.
Head has not made any public comment about the controversy as of yet.
The Delhi High Court has heard both sides and has currently reserved its order on RCB’s plea for an interim injunction. This means a ruling could be made soon on whether the video will continue to circulate or be taken down until the matter is fully resolved.
Meanwhile, the video has already gone viral, racking up over 54 million views on Instagram and becoming one of the most talked-about pieces of IPL content this season.
Whether it’s a clever piece of marketing or a line-crossing jibe, the outcome of this legal clash could set a precedent for how far brands can go in the name of IPL-themed entertainment. One thing's for sure: when cricket meets creativity, sparks — and lawsuits — can fly.
What is RCB's main issue with the Uber ad?▼
RCB claims that Uber’s ad “Baddies in Bengaluru ft. Travis Head” uses a distorted version of its trademark (“Royally Challenged Bengaluru”) which is both misleading and derogatory.
Why is Travis Head involved in this controversy?▼
Travis Head, now with SRH, was featured in the ad playing a prank on RCB. Ironically, he is a former RCB player, which has added to the team’s frustration.
What is Uber’s defense?▼
Uber argues that the ad is satire and falls under commercial free speech. The company claims the content was light-hearted and not intended to harm RCB’s reputation.
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