Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham (Photo: Real Madrid) England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is set to break into cricket ownership by buying a stake in The Hundred Birmingham Phoenix franchise. The 22-year-old is expected to formally announce the move this week after acquiring a roughly one percent stake in the franchise. The investment represents a unique crossover between football and cricket, with Bellingham known as 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 Edgbaston’s host county. Bellingham’s minority investment is believed to come from a combination of existing stock, making it one of the newest stakeholders in the franchise.
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Matthew Hayden reacts after Gujarat Titans’ defeat against Mumbai IndiansAccording to The Telegraph, Jude is now expected to announce that he has bought a 0.6 percent stake in Warwickshire and a 0.6 percent stake in Knighthood. Based on the auction figures, his investment would be worth around £1 million (Rs 12,64,70,000). The deal was first reported by The Cricketer and is expected to be officially announced on Wednesday.It is not clear exactly how the deal came about, but Bellingham’s potential involvement was notified to the ECB by Warwickshire and Knighthead more than a year ago, allowing them to sell the stake.
A personal and strategic move
Bellingham’s investment is not only financial, but also personal. Having grown up in the Midlands and starting 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 maintained an interest in the game.Following the deal, Warwickshire continues 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 England stars Alice Capsey and Davina Perrin.Bellingham’s move highlights the growing commercial appeal of franchise cricket. Launched by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the hundred continues to attract global investment and attention as it aims to expand the sport’s audience.
