The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced that it has finalised stake sales in all six men’s teams of The Hundred. This is huge news for the competition. This cash injection will ensure the future of the cricket we all love in England and Wales. Increasing the ECB’s overall impact and opening the sport’s doors to be more welcoming and inclusive.
The English Premier League’s sale brought in more than £500 million and valued those initial eight teams at about £975 million. Among the new investors, American-based groups have made notable acquisitions: Tech Titans purchased 49% of London Spirit, Knighthead Capital Management acquired 49% of Birmingham Phoenix, and Washington Freedom secured 50% of Welsh Fire. A 70% stake in Manchester Originals was bought by the Indian company RPSG Group, and GMR Group got 49% in Southern Brave since then.
This investment couldn’t come at a better time, as The Hundred will continue to operate until at least August 31 of 2025. The 2025 edition will be highlighted by 16 of the matches being played live on BBC TV and streamed on iPlayer, including both finals. The unified champions are the Oval Invincibles men and London Spirit women, who won their crowns in 2024.
Like Richard Thompson, chair of the ECB, said, such partnerships were crucial for the future of cricket. In a statement, he conveyed his optimism, saying that, “With these new partners firmly held in place, we’re entering a thrilling new phase. This is a seminal moment for cricket in England and Wales. Their expert international insights and experience, honed at the highest levels of elite sport and international business. Together, we can reimagine what’s truly possible—strengthening fan connections and bringing even more world-class players to our beautiful game!
The ECB intends on splitting the money earned from these future sales between its 1st class counties. A large portion of the funding – at least £50 million – will be ringfenced for grassroots cricket projects. A large slice of this allocation is devoted to ensuring that cricket flourishes at grassroots level. It underpins the ECB’s ambition to become the country’s most inclusive sport.
Thompson underscored The Hundred’s importance in developing cricket’s attractiveness. He said The Hundred has already had a massively positive impact on developing cricket in England and Wales. It reaches new audiences, promotes the women’s game, and provides exceptional entertainment value. It’s inspiring to see the incredible global interest we’ve seen during this process. It illustrates how much promise remains to be tapped.
From October 1st, investors will assume operational control of their respective franchises. This transition is anticipated to bring fresh ideas and strategies that could reshape the landscape of cricket in England and Wales.
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