Mega-rich Hundred franchise owners in London for start of competition
The mega-wealthy owners of London’s two Hundred franchises will be in the capital this week as the franchise cricket competition gets underway at the Oval.
One of Asia’s richest family dynasties – the Ambanis – are expected to be at the Vauxhall cricket ground this afternoon as the newly branded MI London – formerly Oval Invincibles – face Sunrisers Leeds, also under new Indian ownership.
And on Thursday the self-styled Tech Titans who spent £145m on a minority stake in London Spirit will be at Lord’s as the team begin their Hundred campaign against Indian co-owned Manchester Super Giants.
The majority of the investors in the eight Hundred franchises are expected to make appearances between now and the end of August, including England footballer and Birmingham Phoenix part-owner Jude Bellingham.
Hundred returns
This year’s competition is the first under a new era of foreign ownership, with at least 49 per cent of each of the eight teams sold to a mix of American and Indian investors over the course of the last 15 months.
There have been changes to names, kits and logos – with an auction replacing a draft ahead of this, sixth season – while there remains some ambition within the ownership groups to find a way to introduce male Indian cricketers into the competition and even to see it become a Twenty20 tournament.
There has also been the introduction of a third trophy this year – alongside the traditional men’s and women’s gongs – which will reward the best team over both competitions. Each of the three winners will receive around £700,000.
This season is the first without the KP Snacks group as front-of-shirt sponsors for all eight teams, with the likes of Barclays and Vitality making the most of the opportunity. But no lead sponsors are betting brands, despite a loosening of rules to allow it, with restrictions set to be brought in from the 2027 edition.