In a significant move, several Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises have reportedly submitted their bids to acquire stakes in the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) innovative cricket league, The Hundred. The league, which has gained popularity for its 100-ball format, is attracting attention from some of the most prominent names in the cricketing world.
The ECB had set a deadline of October 18 for interested parties to submit their bids to invest in the tournament’s eight teams. Notably, the ECB plans to sell a 49% stake in each team while retaining a 51% controlling share. This structure aims to maintain their influence over the competition while allowing new investors to play a significant role in its development.
IPL Investors are expected to invest between £40 million to £50 million in The Hundred: Reports
According to a report by Cricbuzz, IPL teams including Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Mumbai Indians (MI), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and Delhi Capitals (DC) have expressed their interest in The Hundred. The report further hinted at Rajasthan Royals and Women’s Premier League (WPL) team UP Warriorz joining the race to invest in the league.
“Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Delhi Capitals have all submitted bids. While there is no official confirmation, it is understood that Rajasthan Royals have also submitted a bid, as have UP Warriorz, a franchise in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), which is owned by the Dubai-based Capri Global Group,” stated the report.
The ECB’s Information Memorandum outlines that they currently own 100% of The Hundred and plan to sell at least 49% of each team to investors with a vision to elevate the league’s stature. Additionally, host venues may eventually have the option to sell their equity stake to these new investors, potentially leading to a shift in control.
Investors are expected to commit between £40 million to £50 million for a 49% stake, with further discussions on valuations to take place in subsequent bidding rounds.
