The English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has faced criticism for its handling of the sale of franchises in The Hundred, with accusations that it is “selling the family silver and cricket’s soul” in pursuit of quick financial gain, rather than taking long-term, strategic decisions. The criticism comes from one of the bidders involved in the auction process, which started in January 2025 with the Oval Invincibles up for sale, followed by other teams such as Birmingham Phoenix. The ECB aims to raise around £500 million from the sale of 49% stakes in eight franchises, which will be allocated to the counties and grassroots cricket.
The auction process has raised eyebrows, with several high-profile investors, particularly from India, involved in bidding for the franchises. Some of the wealthiest and most influential figures in global sports are vying for ownership, such as Avram Glazer of Manchester United and Todd Boehly of Chelsea, while Asia’s richest family, the Ambanis, are in a tight competition for the Oval Invincibles. Silicon Valley giants, including Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella, are also in the mix. These high-profile figures have caused concerns about the loss of cricket’s traditional values, with some stakeholders fearing the commodification of the sport.
Bidders have expressed frustration over the ECB’s auction approach, which they feel prioritizes the highest bidder over long-term partnerships and strategic thinking. One anonymous bidder described the process as a “lottery,” where the highest bidder gets to decide the future direction of a franchise, regardless of the relationship with the host venues or the local cricket community. This has led to concerns that the sale of the franchises could result in ownership groups that have little connection to or understanding of the cricketing culture in England, as well as doubts about whether these new owners will truly invest in the sport’s development or only focus on short-term profits.
The ECB, however, has defended its auction process, calling it a “thorough and rigorous process” designed to generate substantial financial benefits for the game. They argue that the sale isn’t solely about maximizing the bid amount, pointing out that some of the most lucrative offers from the first rounds of bidding were overlooked. A more philosophical bidder suggested that while the auction process may be lengthy and complex, it would ultimately result in eight strong owners, bringing immense wealth to English cricket.
The first two rounds of bidding showed that the most sought-after franchises, like the two London-based teams at Lord’s and the Oval, have attracted considerable interest. The Oval Invincibles, in particular, are expected to be sold for a hefty sum, with the Ambanis going head-to-head with CVC Capital Partners and a Silicon Valley group for ownership. While the Oval venue has expressed preference for the tech consortium, believing it would allow them to retain control over the cricket operations, the final decision will come down to the highest bid.
In contrast, the Birmingham Phoenix franchise is expected to sell via sealed bids after not attracting more than two final-round offers. CVC Capital Partners, which has shown interest in the Phoenix, is also bidding for other franchises, including London Spirit, which is projected to be the most expensive franchise at around £150 million. The Ambanis, despite their strong involvement in early-stage bidding, did not make the shortlist for London Spirit, likely due to the Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) preference to retain control of the franchise.
Despite concerns, the ECB is optimistic that the auction process will generate significant revenue and create a diverse group of owners who will bring fresh investment into the game. The sale of the franchises is also seen as an opportunity to revitalize the Hundred, with new team names, revamped kits, and more star players expected to enter the league starting in the 2026 season. The completion of these deals is expected to take several months, and while changes won’t be immediately noticeable in the 2025 season, the future of English cricket could be shaped by these high-stakes ownership battles.
Ultimately, the hope is that the new owners will bring not only financial backing but also a deep commitment to growing the sport at all levels. With the prospect of new, more substantial investments, the future of the Hundred and English cricket could be transformed. However, the current auction process has left some questioning whether the sport’s core values will be maintained or overshadowed by financial interests.
