The Hundred Secures Major Partnerships, Transforming Cricket in England and Wales
Significant Milestone for The Hundred
London [UK], July 30: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Wednesday a significant advancement in the development of The Hundred, confirming that agreements have been finalized with the first six strategic partners for the teams involved.
This landmark achievement positions The Hundred as the inaugural UK sports competition to establish franchise partnerships of this magnitude, leveraging top-tier expertise from various sectors including global sports, media, technology, and finance. Each investor contributes a unique vision and specialized knowledge to their respective teams, reflecting the increasing commercial and cultural momentum surrounding The Hundred, as stated in an ECB press release.
Two additional partnerships are expected to be finalized soon, remaining on schedule as the ECB has provided investors the flexibility to complete their agreements at a later date.
This announcement comes just days before the commencement of the 2025 competition, marking a pivotal moment for The Hundred and the future of cricket in England and Wales. Once all agreements are finalized, over 500 million pounds will be allocated to professional counties and grassroots cricket. This follows an exclusivity period initiated earlier this year, during which selected investors engaged in final negotiations.
Typically, investors will collaborate with the host club to manage their franchise in The Hundred, assuming operational control starting October 1, 2025.
The six completed deals include:
London Spirit – Tech Titans (49 percent)
Birmingham Phoenix – Knighthead Capital Management, LLC, on behalf of its investors (49 percent)
Manchester Originals – RPSG Group (70 percent)
Northern Superchargers – Sun TV Network Limited (100 percent)
Southern Brave – GMR Group (49 percent)
Welsh Fire – Washington Freedom (50 percent)
The two partnerships still pending formal completion are:
Oval Invincibles – Reliance Group (49 percent)
Trent Rockets – Cain International & Ares Management (49 percent)
In total, these eight partnerships reflect a team valuation exceeding 975 million pounds, with over 500 million pounds earmarked for investment in the cricket ecosystem of England and Wales. This includes a dedicated commitment of 50 million pounds to grassroots cricket, ensuring the sport flourishes at all levels, with the remainder allocated to professional counties.
Richard Thompson, ECB Chair, remarked: “The Hundred has already played a crucial role in expanding cricket's reach in England and Wales—drawing in new audiences, enhancing the women's game, and providing high-quality entertainment. The immense global interest we've witnessed during this process underscores the untapped potential that lies ahead.
“With these new partners joining us, we are embarking on an exhilarating new chapter and a defining moment for cricket in England and Wales. Their international perspective and proven success in elite sports and business will enable us to rethink possibilities—from strengthening fan engagement to attracting even more world-class talent.
“Importantly, this investment will not only support the competition's expansion but also direct transformative funding into our professional counties and grassroots initiatives. This will ensure cricket continues to thrive across England and Wales for generations, aligning with our broader goal of making the sport the most inclusive in the country and reaching underserved communities.”
The new partners will invest in The Hundred teams, while the ECB maintains full ownership of the competition, retaining control over essential aspects such as regulations, scheduling, and other matters affecting the broader game.
A new board for The Hundred will be formed, comprising representatives from the ECB and the teams (including both investors and host clubs), which will have delegated authority over specific strategic and commercial matters related to The Hundred, such as sponsorship and licensing agreements, player salaries, and player draft and retention processes.