ECB Targets Private Investment for Eight 'The Hundred' Teams, Not Entire Tournament.

Posted 3 months ago

Richard Gould, the chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), has announced that they are in the early stages of seeking private investment for The Hundred teams.

This move signifies a shift in strategy, as they aim to secure funding specifically for the individual teams rather than for the entire tournament as a whole.

The Hundred, introduced in 2021 as a 100-ball cricket tournament, has been primarily funded by the ECB, with the money distributed among the participating counties.

Richard Gould, the CEO of ECB, mentioned that they are exploring options for private investment at the team level rather than investing directly in the tournament itself.

"We are exploring different ways this could work," Gould shared with BBC Sport. "The Hundred presents an attractive opportunity for private investors to contribute to the sport."

Private investment in cricket has been on the rise, especially with the success of leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL), prompting team owners from the IPL to invest in cricket teams globally, including in South Africa, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.

While the ECB has allocated an additional £100,000 for women's game salaries in 2024, players in both men's and women's categories earn considerably less than their counterparts in the lucrative franchise leagues like the IPL, making it challenging to attract top overseas talent.