The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday, July 30 announced that franchise agreements have been finalised with six of the eight investors in The Hundred, including several IPL franchise owners. Among the completed deals are partnerships with India’s GMR Group, Sun TV Network Limited, and RPSG Group. Discussions are still ongoing with two remaining investors, including the Reliance Group.
If the deal with Reliance Group is finalised, it will join GMR Group, Sun TV Network Limited, and RPSG Group in assuming operational control of their respective teams from 1 October this year.
These changes mark the beginning of a new era in English cricket, with investors set to inject hundreds of millions of pounds into both professional and grassroots levels.
The ECB announced that these deals are part of a broader strategy to drive growth across the cricketing ecosystem. “Collectively, the eight partnerships represent a valuation of the teams of over £975 million, with more than £500 million now set to be invested into the English and Welsh cricket ecosystem,” the board said.
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Among the confirmed deals, RPSG Group, owners of the Lucknow Super Giants, will acquire a 70% stake in Manchester Originals. Sun TV Network, which owns Sunrisers Hyderabad, will take full control of Northern Superchargers. The GMR Group, co-owners of Delhi Capitals, have secured a 49% stake in Southern Brave. Reliance Group, which runs Mumbai Indians, is set to acquire a 49% stake in Oval Invincibles, pending formal completion.
“This pivotal moment sees The Hundred become the first UK sports competition to secure franchise partnerships of this scale,” said the ECB.
Another major investor, Knighthead Capital, will own 49% of Birmingham Phoenix, while Tech Titans and Washington Freedom have also secured stakes in London Spirit and Welsh Fire respectively.
ECB Chair Richard Thompson said, “The sheer scale of global interest we’ve seen throughout this process highlights just how much potential remains to be unlocked.”
The ECB retains full ownership of the competition, including key areas such as regulations and scheduling.
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