 "IPL, NFL owners contacted for The Hundred team sales: Why is ECB selling stakes, and who are the potential buyers?")
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that they are looking at investment from Indian Premier League (IPL) and National Football League (NFL) owners in The Hundred – the 100-balls per side tournament which starts on Tuesday and will run till 18 August. The Hundred, which is entirely owned by ECB, consists of eight teams with each side having a men’s and women’s team.
There have been speculations that the ECB was looking for private investment to secure the future of The Hundred.
It has now been confirmed that the ECB is willing to sell a 49% stake in the eight teams, while a 51% share will be given to the host of the eight teams which they can sell or keep.
In December 2022, the ECB had an offer from Bridgepoint Group to buy a 75% stake in the tournament but the board is not interested in selling the competition.
“Control comes at different levels, it comes at team level and it comes at competition level – that’s not something we are ceding control of,” ECB chief executive Richard Gould told reporters on Monday. “Different investor groups have different needs, for some it is about control of what happens on the field, for others it’s the commercial element.
“You’re right about the strength of the Indian market – it represents probably 90 percent of the revenues coming into the ICC (International Cricket Council) and we have seen the proliferation of IPL teams moving outside of their home market into other national markets. I think that’s to be welcomed,” he added.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIPL and NFL team owners contacted
“I’ve now met and spoken to, a number of times, all the IPL owners and WPL (Women’s Premier League) owners that don’t overlap and there is interest there, from what they’ve told me, which is fantastic and lends into a very exciting process,” ECB director of business operations Vikram Banerjee shared.
“I would really hope we have a level of partnerships with some IPL teams, I think that would be brilliant. They have done a great job and know cricket very well.”
Apart from IPL team owners, the owners of the American Football League - NFL - have also been contacted to purchase a stake in The Hundred teams, however, the fact that the new owners cannot own a controlling stake of 51% could dissuade the potential investors.
“We have sent a document and video to some NFL owners to explain what cricket is,” Banerjee said.
“In terms of fan engagement, how they can build stadia experience and bring in the next generation, those guys are amazing. We can bring that blend together.”
Why ECB is selling stakes in The Hundred?
The major reason behind the ECB’s move to sell the stake is the pressure built on the league by the emergence of the USA’s Major League Cricket (MLC). With multiple T20 leagues mushrooming across the globe, it’s becoming tough for The Hundred to hold onto top players. Selling the stake to IPL team owners could help solve this issue.
“We need to be able to ensure our best men and women players play and we can attract the best overseas players. If we were to delay too much I think others may end up stealing a march on us,” said Gould.
The ECB also wants to inject more funds into its domestic cricket and the sale of stakes in The Hundred teams can help. As per reports in England, 10% of the revenue generated from the sale of stakes will be invested in the recreational game in England and Wales, while the remaining will be distributed among the 18 first-class counties and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
The eight hosts of The Hundred teams are: Lord’s (MCC/London Spirit), The Oval (Surrey/Oval Invincibles), Southampton (Hampshire/Southern Brave), Cardiff (Glamorgan/Welsh Fire), Trent Bridge (Nottinghamshire/Trent Rockets), Edgbaston (Warwickshire/Birmingham Phoenix), Old Trafford (Lancashire/Manchester Originals) and Headingley (Yorkshire/Northern Superchargers).
The 11 non-host counties are expected to get a larger chunk of the revenue generated by the sale of stakes in the tournament.
Other potential buyers
As per The Telegraph in the UK, the Glazer family, who own Manchester United, Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham group, and Red Bull could buy stakes in The Hundred teams.
The stakes in the teams will be sold later this year and the 2025 season will have new investors.
These investors will be allowed to change the names and colours of their teams.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
