Indian Premier League (IPL) owners and Indian billionaires Mukesh Ambani (owner of MI Group) and Sanjiv Goenka (owner of RPSG) have reportedly entered the race to acquire stakes in teams in The Hundred, the 100-ball cricket tournament organised by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). According to insider sources, both magnates have placed their bids in the first round, aiming to secure ownership in multiple franchises, with the ECB offering a 49% stake in each team.
Indian investors eyeing expansion in British Cricket
With existing ventures in global T20 franchises, both Mukesh Ambani and Sanjiv Goenka view The Hundred as a natural expansion of their cricket portfolios. Ambani, through his conglomerate Reliance Industries, already owns four teams under the Mumbai Indians banner—MI Cape Town, MI New York, MI Emirates, and Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). A successful bid for the London Spirit, which is based at the prestigious Lord’s, could potentially see the franchise rebranded as “MI London.”
Meanwhile, Goenka, founder and chairman of the RPSG Group, owns the IPL team Lucknow Super Giants and Durban’s Super Giants in South Africa’s SA20 league. For Goenka, acquiring a stake in The Hundred would further solidify his footprint in international cricket. Sources suggest that he has shown interest in several of the eight franchises.
Global Interest and First-Round valuations for The Hundred
Ambani and Goenka are joined by a diverse group of bidders, including Manchester United’s Glazer siblings and Chelsea FC director Jonathan Goldstein, marking a heightened global interest in The Hundred. The initial valuation of the eight franchises stands at around £500 million, with the ECB’s strategic decision to sell stakes in the teams anticipated to boost the sport’s ecosystem in the UK. Proceeds from the sales will be channelled into both recreational and professional cricket.
“The level of interest we’ve seen, and the enthusiasm of investors from within the UK and around the world, is encouraging,” an ECB spokesperson stated as per Times of India, although they refrained from confirming specific details about the bids.
Decisions on ownership expected in 2025
The final decision on successful bidders will rest with the ECB and the relevant host venues, with an announcement anticipated in 2025. For the future team owners, an equity stake would grant access to central revenues, including a portion of broadcast rights and sponsorship deals linked to the competition.
With Ambani and Goenka leading the way, The Hundred may soon see Indian investment reshaping the future of cricket in the UK.
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