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ECB Finalizes Franchise Agreements for Six Hundred Teams; Reliance Yet to Seal Oval Invincibles Deal
Major Shift in The Hundred: Six Franchise Deals Signed
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed the signing of franchise agreements with six of the eight investor groups for its popular white-ball competition, The Hundred. This marks a transformative moment for the tournament, as it transitions from being ECB-owned to a partially franchise-based league, attracting significant global investment.
The announcement, made on July 30, underlines a fresh commercial approach to strengthen the competition’s future while keeping the tournament structure under ECB control. Among the notable developments is the delay in finalizing Reliance Group’s agreement for the Oval Invincibles franchise.
Confirmed Deals: Indian Firms Dominate Ownership
Six franchise partnerships have been successfully secured, with Indian-owned firms taking center stage:
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Tech Titans (USA): Acquired a 49% stake in London Spirit, based at Lord’s.
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RPSG Group (India): Bought 70% of Manchester Originals, expected to rebrand as Manchester SuperGiants, aligning with their IPL and SA20 teams.
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Sun TV Network (India): Took full 100% ownership of Northern Superchargers, the Headingley-based team.
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GMR Group (India): Acquired 49% of Southern Brave, representing Southampton.
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Sanjay Govil (MLC’s Washington Freedom owner): Bought 50% of Welsh Fire.
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Knighthead Capital Management (USA): Invested in Birmingham Phoenix, securing a 49% stake.
These investments showcase a growing interest from Indian stakeholders in English franchise cricket, further merging global cricket economies.
Pending Negotiations: Oval and Trent Rockets in Limbo
Two teams remain without finalized deals:
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Reliance Group (India) is yet to sign for Oval Invincibles, although they emerged as the preferred bidder.
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Cain International & Ares Management are still in discussions regarding a 49% stake in Trent Rockets.
The ECB clarified that while investors gain operational control of their teams, full ownership of The Hundred and overarching control—such as playing regulations, scheduling, and format—remains with the board.
Massive Investment to Boost English Cricket
Strategic and Financial Impact
The franchise agreements signal a combined team valuation exceeding £975 million, with £500 million earmarked for reinvestment in the English and Welsh cricket ecosystem. The ECB emphasized that the capital injection will help enhance grassroots cricket, infrastructure, and player development pathways.
A newly formed “Hundred Board” will oversee commercial strategies, including:
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Sponsorship and licensing deals
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Player salary structuring
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Player draft and retention policies
This joint board will feature ECB executives, franchise investors, and host club representatives.
A First for UK Sports
This model makes The Hundred the first major UK sports league to implement such a franchise-based structure. ECB Chair Richard Thompson called it a “pivotal moment” in the competition’s evolution, highlighting the tremendous global interest it has generated.
“The Hundred has already played a vital role in growing cricket in England and Wales — attracting new audiences, elevating the women’s game, and delivering high-quality entertainment,” said Thompson.
Season Opener at Lord’s Approaches
The 2025 season of The Hundred is scheduled to begin on August 5 at Lord’s, setting the stage for the first edition under this new franchise structure. The ECB hopes that with new investors onboard, the competition will not only maintain its fan base but also grow exponentially in terms of global reach and financial sustainability.
England Cricket Board’s investment in grassroots development
Official ECB Announcement on The Hundred Franchise Deals
