Four IPL Owners Become Strategic Partners in The Hundred, ECB Confirms.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday confirmed that four Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners have joined The Hundred as “strategic partners” and will take operational control of their respective teams from October 1, 2025.
The new investors — GMR Group, Sun TV Network, RPSG Group, and Reliance Industries — have acquired stakes in several teams, in what the ECB hailed as a landmark moment for UK sport. The deals are part of a wider initiative that will see over £500 million invested across English and Welsh cricket, including a £50 million commitment to grassroots development.
“This is a pivotal moment. The Hundred becomes the first UK sports competition to secure franchise partnerships of this scale,” the ECB said.
Confirmed Partnerships
Manchester Originals: 70% stake – RPSG Group (Lucknow Super Giants)
Northern Superchargers: 100% ownership – Sun TV Network (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Southern Brave: 49% stake – GMR Group (co-owners of Delhi Capitals)
London Spirit: 49% stake – Tech Titans
Birmingham Phoenix: 49% stake – Knighthead Capital Management
Welsh Fire: 49% stake – Washington Freedom
Deals Pending Completion
Oval Invincibles: 49% stake – Reliance Industries (Mumbai Indians)
Trent Rockets: 49% stake – Cain International & Ares Management
These two deals are expected to be finalized soon, with the ECB stating that all transactions remain “on track.”
New Governance Model
Despite the partnerships, the ECB will retain full ownership of The Hundred, including control over rules, the tournament window, and other key decisions. A new governing board will be formed, comprising ECB officials, host clubs, and investors, with authority over the competition’s strategic and commercial direction.
Massive Valuation, Global Reach
The collective valuation of the eight teams now stands at over £975 million. The ECB described the strategic partnerships as a blend of sporting expertise and commercial investment, drawing from industries such as media, tech, and finance.
“The sheer scale of global interest shows how much potential remains to be unlocked,” said ECB Chairman Richard Thompson.
IPL Influence Grows
Many of these IPL franchise owners already operate teams outside India. The Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Lucknow Super Giants have teams in South Africa’s SA20 league, further underlining the IPL’s growing global footprint in franchise cricket.
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