Cricinfo: ECB Secures $650 Million Investment for The Hundred
The investment will be used to clear off expensive debt, create reserves, and invest in the game, with around £52m going to the recreational game, and the rest being shared between the counties and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). The ECB is committed to achieving salary parity between men's and women's cricket, and the investment is expected to help accelerate this process.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has secured a significant investment of $650 million from investors, including NFL's Tom Brady and Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, to support the domestic game, valuing the eight teams in The Hundred at over $1.2 billion.
The investment will be used to support long-term financial sustainability, with 50 million pounds ($62 million) going to grassroots programs. The ECB has outlined three core investment areas: building reserves, revenue generation, and debt reduction. The funds will also be used to improve the quality and profile of the men's Hundred through increased player salaries, although the current disparity between men's and women's salaries remains.
The ECB plans to expand The Hundred to more teams in the future, with potential candidates including Durham's Chester-le-Street and a ground in the south-west, Somerset or Gloucestershire. The expansion will depend on the financial benefit, player depth, and suitable venues. ECB chief executive Richard Gould stated that expansion would be based on success and that the competition would not take up more of the schedule than its current month-long period.
The investment has also sparked discussions about the potential participation of Indian and Pakistani cricketers in the tournament. Despite Indian investors owning half of the teams, the ECB does not expect this to affect participation of Indian male cricketers or Pakistani cricketers in the tournament. The ECB hopes to work with IPL owners to find a dedicated window for the Hundred, potentially avoiding conflicts with other T20 leagues.
The significant investment is a major boost to English cricket, and the ECB is confident that it will help to accelerate the growth and development of the game. With the funds, the ECB aims to create a more sustainable and successful future for The Hundred, and the sport as a whole.
