The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has entered the decisive stage of selling equity in its innovative cricket league, The Hundred. This ambitious move has drawn interest from high-profile IPL franchises and global technology leaders, marking a pivotal moment in cricket’s financial evolution. Among the eight franchises, the London-based teams and Manchester Originals have emerged as the most sought-after, attracting bids from a mix of sports and tech titans.
IPL Giants Enter the Arena
Notable IPL franchises including the Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants, and Delhi Capitals co-owners GMR Group have made it to the ECB’s final shortlist. GMR, which recently secured majority ownership of Hampshire, underscores the growing footprint of IPL owners in global cricket ventures. These franchises are set to compete against a consortium of global tech executives for a stake in the league.
The shortlisted investors have been mapped to specific franchises based on their bids and preferences. All final offers are binding, with the highest bidder securing ownership. Control of these franchises will officially transfer to the new owners in 2026.
London Franchises Lead the Pack
Oval Invincibles (hosted by Surrey) and London Spirit (hosted by MCC) have captured the lion’s share of attention. The consortium led by Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora, featuring industry heavyweights like Sundar Pichai (Google), Satya Nadella (Microsoft), and Shantanu Narayen (Adobe), is bidding for both London teams. Additionally, the RPSG Group, owners of the Lucknow Super Giants, has expressed keen interest in the Spirit, reportedly offering a nine-figure valuation in earlier bidding rounds.
Manchester Originals: The Northern Star
Manchester Originals (hosted by Lancashire) has proven equally popular. The city’s rich sporting heritage, anchored by Premier League giants Manchester United and Manchester City, coupled with its vibrant university culture, makes it an attractive investment. Notably, Lancashire has offered potential franchise owners significant operational control over cricketing activities—a crucial factor for IPL teams. Key bidders include the Mumbai Indians and RPSG Group, both of whom recognize the city’s immense potential.
Competitive Bidding Across Regions
Outside of London and Manchester, other franchises are also attracting serious interest. The Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise group has set its sights on the Trent Rockets (Nottingham), Northern Superchargers (Leeds), and Welsh Fire (Cardiff). Meanwhile, Birmingham Phoenix has drawn bids from CVC Capital Partners, the owners of IPL’s Gujarat Titans. US-based entrepreneur Sanjay Govil is also in contention for several franchises outside London, showcasing the global appeal of The Hundred.
Challenges and Criticisms
While the ECB’s target of raising £350 million appears to have been comfortably exceeded, the privatization process has not been without its detractors. Lalit Modi, the founding chairman of the IPL, has criticized the financial projections in the ECB’s prospectus, calling them “dangerously overambitious.” Additionally, some bidders have expressed reservations about the league’s long-term profitability.
Despite these concerns, the ECB is optimistic about the league’s future, with chairman Richard Thompson emphasizing the transformative potential of this move. The joint venture model, with 49% ownership transferred to private investors, aims to bring substantial financial and operational benefits to the franchises and the host counties.
Place your bets at JitaBet, JitaWin, and Jita88, they offer really good odds, play and win big!
The Road Ahead
The Hundred’s privatization signals a bold shift in the governance and financial structure of cricket in England and Wales. The involvement of IPL franchises and global tech leaders underscores the league’s growing international significance. With the final bidding phase underway, the stage is set for a new era in English cricket, where private investment and innovation converge to reshape the sport’s landscape.
As the ECB prepares to announce the schedule for the 2025 season, all eyes are on the final bids that will determine the league’s future stakeholders. The outcome promises to set a precedent for how cricket leagues worldwide evolve in the coming years.
