The Hundred is considering a major shift in its player recruitment process, with the introduction of an Indian Premier League-style open auction next year. The move is being driven by new investors who have acquired stakes in the eight franchises and are eager to increase player salaries to attract the best talent in the world.
Under the current system, the Hundred operates a draft where teams take turns selecting players at fixed salary levels determined by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Although salaries have risen this season with the highest-paid men earning £200,000 and top women’s contracts worth £65,000 investors believe these figures are still too low. The overall salary cap for a men’s franchise is £1.17 million, which is significantly lower than the highest individual salary in the IPL. For instance, Rishabh Pant was signed for £2.54 million by Lucknow Super Giants in last year’s IPL auction.
A newly formed shareholder committee, consisting of franchise executives and ECB representatives, will be responsible for evaluating potential changes to player salaries and the competition’s structure. Discussions are set to take place in the coming months, with a decision expected by September. While it is unlikely that salaries will reach IPL levels, there is broad consensus that wages must increase for the tournament to remain competitive globally.
The Hundred has faced increasing challenges in retaining top talent, particularly with the rise of rival leagues offering more lucrative contracts. Alex Hales recently opted for deals with LA Knight Riders in Major League Cricket and Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League, highlighting the financial appeal of other tournaments. Similarly, last year, Steve Smith and Pat Cummins prioritized Major League Cricket over the Hundred due to higher pay.
One of the biggest obstacles to The Hundred’s growth remains the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) strict policy preventing Indian male players from competing in overseas franchise leagues. Without access to Indian stars, increasing playing budgets is seen as the best way to elevate the competition’s quality and global appeal.
Currently, the Hundred’s draft process allows franchises to retain up to ten players before selecting new recruits. The lowest-ranked team from the previous season gets the first pick, while the defending champions select last. An open auction would fundamentally change this system, enabling teams to bid freely for players, potentially leading to significant salary increases.
However, the proposed changes could face resistance from the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), which has previously criticized the ECB over pay disparities. When this season’s salary structure was revealed in December, the PCA expressed concerns over the widening gender pay gap and the increasing financial divide between top and lower-tier players. A shift to an open auction could further exacerbate this issue by disproportionately benefiting overseas stars over domestic players.
Despite these challenges, the push for higher salaries and a new recruitment system reflects the ambitions of The Hundred’s new investors. With financial backing from major figures such as the Ambani family, who own 49% of Oval Invincibles, and Silicon Valley firms that invested £145 million in London Spirit, there is clear momentum for change. Whether the ECB and players ultimately embrace the open auction model will likely be decided before the 2026 season.
