Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has expanded his sports investment portfolio, securing a 49% stake in Trent Rockets through Cain International, the firm he co-founded with Jonathan Goldstein. The deal, worth just under £40M, values the franchise at £79M. 🏏💼
🔹 Nottinghamshire Retains Control
Despite the sale, Nottinghamshire will keep a 51% majority stake, ensuring they remain at the helm of the Rockets, who play at Trent Bridge.
🏏 The Hundred’s Multi-Million Pound Boom 💰
Boehly’s purchase contributes to the rapidly growing Hundred franchise market, with total stake sales now exceeding £500M across seven teams. The full valuation of the competition’s franchises stands at £820M, with Southern Brave set to be the final franchise sold later this week.
🔸 Other Major Deals in The Hundred:
✔️ Manchester Originals – 70% stake sold to Lucknow Super Giants (IPL) for £81M
✔️ Northern Superchargers – 100% sale to Sun Group (Sunrisers Hyderabad) for £100M
✔️ Oval Invincibles – 49% stake sold to Mumbai Indians (IPL) for £60M
✔️ London Spirit – 49% acquired by a consortium led by Nikesh Arora for £145M
✔️ Birmingham Phoenix – 49% sale to Birmingham City FC owners for £40M
✔️ Welsh Fire – 49% purchased by IT entrepreneur Sanjay Govil for £40M
🏏 IPL Owners Eye The Hundred
Many Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners are now deeply invested in The Hundred, with the Delhi Capitals’ co-owners expected to complete the purchase of Southern Brave next.
🌍 Boehly’s Expanding Sports Empire
Boehly, who led the £4.25BN takeover of Chelsea in 2022, also has ownership stakes in:
⚾ Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
🏀 Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
🏒 Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA)
🎮 Several other sports-related businesses via Eldridge Industries
The deal enters an eight-week exclusivity period for finalization, with funds from the sales set to be distributed across England’s cricket ecosystem, including 18 first-class counties, the MCC, and grassroots cricket.
📢 What’s Next?
With the Hundred’s final franchise sale looming, cricket’s franchise revolution continues. Will these high-profile investments reshape the future of English cricket? Stay tuned! 🏏🔥
