The ECB rules out an IPL-dominated takeover of The Hundred as bids pour in, including American investors and IPL franchises, to secure cricket’s future.
ECB Assurance
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has firmly dismissed concerns of an ‘IPL takeover’ of its flagship competition. The Hundred Amid is among strong global interest in its franchise bidding process. IPL owners, private equity firms, and U.S.-based investors are competing for stakes in the tournament’s team.
Balanced Investment Approach
The ECB remains focused on securing a diverse range of partners for The Hundred. Richard Thompson, ECB chairman, addressed the need to optimize long-term value over short-term gains.
“This isn’t going to end up being an IPL takeover,” Thompson said. “There’s a huge amount of American money involved – very sophisticated investors who understand franchise sport. We invented sport, they invented the franchise, and they’re looking long-term.
“They know we’ve got the best time zone in the world. And if you’re looking to maximise the media rights, you look at the fact that rugby and football have got such incredibly successful domestic products, and we haven’t, really. They can see how unvalued that is.
“A lot of those American investors have had huge success investing in the Premier League and feel that the way that English law is structured, the way there is this tribalism and passion for sport in this country, they’ve seen that success play out through football and think, ‘well, that can play out just as easily in cricket, if we invest well’.”
While IPL franchises have significant presence in global leagues, the ECB highlights American interest. Particularly the interests were from successful Premier League investors.
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Countries like Lancashire and Surrey aim to retain majority stakes. They emphasised their commitment to English cricket’s stability. The process seeks to raise £350 million with 10% allocated to grassroots development, ensuring overall cricket growth.
American Investors And Hollywood Interest
Prominent U.S. investors, including Manchester United’s Avram Glazer and CVC Capital Partners, submitted bids.Hollywood actors Pyan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, owners of Wrexham AFC, also expressed interest in Welsh Fire. American firms see English cricket’s global appeal and value in its prime time zone for media rights
The ECB insists that decisions priorities cricket’s long-term development. This will balance final growth with sporting integrity. By early 2025, preferred partners will finalize contracts.
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