Chelsea: Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has secured a major stake in The Hundred franchise Trent Rockets. His company, Cain International, has purchased 49% of the team for nearly £40 million. This deal values the entire franchise at £79 million.
Boehly’s Expanding Sports Portfolio
Boehly, an American investor, is already well known in the sports world. He led the £4.25 billion takeover of Chelsea in 2022. He also has stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers and multiple sports-related businesses through his company, Eldridge Industries.
His business partner, Jonathan Goldstein, co-founded Cain International. Goldstein is also part of Chelsea’s board. Cain was previously in talks to buy a stake in London Spirit, but that franchise was eventually sold to a Silicon Valley group for £145 million.
The Hundred’s Growing Market Value
The sale of Trent Rockets is part of a larger trend. Six other teams in The Hundred have already sold minority stakes. The total sales have now exceeded £500 million, with all franchises collectively valued at around £820 million.
Nottinghamshire, which hosts the Rockets at Trent Bridge, will keep 51% ownership. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) originally handed control of the teams to host counties. However, with increasing financial interest from investors, counties are selling stakes to raise funds.
Other Major Deals in The Hundred
Several high-profile deals have reshaped the ownership of The Hundred franchises:
- Oval Invincibles: Surrey sold a 49% stake to the owners of IPL team Mumbai Indians for £60 million.
- Birmingham Phoenix: Warwickshire sold a 49% share to Birmingham City FC’s owners, Knighthead Capital, for £40 million.
- Welsh Fire: IT entrepreneur Sanjay Govil bought a 49% stake for £40 million.
- London Spirit: A consortium led by Nikesh Arora acquired a 49% share.
- Manchester Originals: Lancashire sold 70% of its stake to IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants for £81 million.
- Northern Superchargers: Yorkshire became the first team to sell 100% of its stake, with the Sun Group (owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad) paying over £100 million.
What’s Next for The Hundred?
Southern Brave will be the final franchise to sell. Reports suggest its 49% stake will go to the co-owners of Delhi Capitals, who also own Hampshire. The deal is expected later this week.
Money from these sales will be distributed among the 18 first-class counties, the MCC, and grassroots cricket. All deals are now in an eight-week exclusivity period before final confirmation.
The growing financial interest in The Hundred highlights the competition’s rising value. With IPL franchises and global investors entering the scene, English cricket is seeing a major commercial transformation.
