ECB to Sell Stakes in The Hundred Teams

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is preparing to sell stakes in its 100-ball tournament, The Hundred, with a focus on attracting Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners. Reports suggest that even minority stakes may grant owners the power to rename teams, reflecting the ECB's eagerness to secure Indian investment. Notably, the Ambani family's Mumbai Indians are eyeing a bid for the London Spirit, potentially rebranding it as MI London. The London Spirit is expected to be the most valuable franchise in the sale process, possibly accounting for a quarter of the total sales revenue. Other investors include American sports franchise owners like Ryan Reynolds and Avram Glazer, indicating broad interest in the venture. The ECB aims to raise approximately £400 million from selling shares in the eight teams, with all ten IPL owners anticipated to participate in the bidding.