On Monday, English cricket officials confirmed they have been in discussions with Indian Premier League (IPL) owners about acquiring a stake in their domestic Hundred competition.
The fourth season of the 100-ball tournament, which features eight specially created teams — each with a men’s and women’s side — kicks off on Tuesday. The future of the tournament remains uncertain as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) seeks private investment to strengthen its position on the global stage and enhance the finances of domestic cricket.
The ECB is aiming to balance the need for financial investment while maintaining control of the Hundred. They plan to sell a 49 percent stake in each team to private investors, with the remaining 51 percent retained by the host teams. However, hosts might choose to sell part or all of their shares.
“Control is multi-faceted; it exists at both the team level and the competition level — we are not relinquishing that control,” said ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould during a conference call. He acknowledged the significance of the Indian market, which contributes about 90 percent of the revenues to the International Cricket Council (ICC). The rise of IPL teams expanding beyond India into other markets is seen as positive.
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“There is certainly potential for complete ownership depending on the financial and operational capabilities investors bring,” Gould added.
Vikram Banerjee, the ECB’s Director of Business Operations, mentioned that while discussions with IPL and Women’s Premier League (WPL) owners are ongoing, he is also exploring opportunities with NFL owners. “I’ve had multiple discussions with IPL and WPL owners, and there is significant interest, which is encouraging,” Banerjee said. He expressed a desire to establish partnerships with IPL teams, appreciating their expertise in cricket.
Banerjee also highlighted that the ECB is reaching out to NFL owners, providing them with information about cricket and its rules. “We’re looking to blend the best practices from both cricket and American football to enhance fan engagement, stadium experiences, and attract the next generation of fans,” he said.
