Kamal Ghorui
England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is set to make his foray into cricket ownership by purchasing a stake in The Hundred franchise Birmingham Phoenix. The 22-year-old is expected to formally announce the move this week, having acquired approximately a one per cent stake in the franchise. The investment marks a unique crossover between football and cricket, with Bellingham known to be a long-time fan of the sport.The Birmingham Phoenix franchise was valued at around £82 million (Rs 10,36,76,61,800) during The Hundred’s recent investment round. In 2025, American investment firm Knighthead Capital acquired a 49 per cent stake, while Warwickshire County Cricket Club retained the remaining 51 per cent as the host county at Edgbaston. Bellingham’s minority investment is understood to come from a combination of existing shares, making him one of the newest stakeholders in the franchise.
According to The Telegraph, Jude is now expected to announce that he has bought 0.6 per cent of Warwickshire’s stake, and 0.6 per cent of Knighthood’s stake. Based on figures from the auction, his investment would be worth around £1m (Rs 12,64,70,000). The deal was first reported by The Cricketer, and is expected to be announced officially on Wednesday.It is unclear exactly how the deal came about, but Bellingham’s potential involvement was flagged by Warwickshire and Knighthead to the ECB more than a year ago, which allowed them to sell a stake on.
A Personal and Strategic Move
Bellingham’s investment is not just financial but also personal. Having grown up in the Midlands and started his football journey with Birmingham City, his association with the Birmingham-based franchise adds a strong local connection. Bellingham played for Hagley Cricket Club in nearby Worcestershire as a child and has retained an interest in the game.Post-deal, Warwickshire continue to hold a majority 50.4% stake in Birmingham Phoenix, with Knighthead owning 48.4%. The squad will feature key names such as men’s captain Jacob Bethell and Ellyse Perry, supported by rising English stars Alice Capsey and Davina Perrin.Bellingham’s move highlights the increasing commercial appeal of franchise cricket. The Hundred, launched by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), continues to attract global investors and attention as it aims to expand the sport’s audience.
