Global icons like actor Ryan Reynolds, NFL legend Tom Brady and others have reportedly expr essed interest in investing in The Hundred. The exciting 100-ball per innings tournament has garnered a lot of interest from investors over the recent past with the England Cricket Board open to the idea of outside investment.
A report from the Telegraph reveals the owners of League 2 football club – Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Ryan McElhenney are considering investing in Welsh Fire. The report states that the ECB hopes that the duo attends a Hundred games this season. Similarly, the majority owners of football club Manchester United, the Glazer family are looking to invest in a Hundred franchise.
Ryan Reynolds, Tom Brady and others open to invest in The Hundred: Reports
The Knighthead Capital with NFL icon Tom Brady, who owns Birmingham City are also interested in expanding its investment in the region and is eyeing the Birmingham Phoenix. The group is set to attend the tournament’s opening match when Phoenix take on Oval Invincibles as per the Telegraph.
Another major name interested in The Hundred is CEO and chairman of Microsoft Satya Nadella who recently met ECB chiefs at the T20 World Cup to discuss potential investment in The Hundred. Similarly, Red Bull is also interested in investing in a team in the tournament.
We also want to move into more of a tribalism: ECB head of strategy
Speaking about the benefits of outside investment, ECB head of strategy Vikram Bannerjee, as per the Telegraph, said, “We must continue to maintain best v best of players, both English and from around the world. We must continue to turbo-charge women’s game. The Hundred has done brilliant things for women’s sport but we can’t rest on our laurels.”
“We also want to move into more of a tribalism. Football is the example. Everyone talks about their favourite team. I’m an Aston Villa fan for my sins and have travelled up to Middlesborough, down to Bournemouth and wherever else to watch them. That is where we want to get the Hundred to, with fans of London Spirit travelling across the country rather than seeing it as just a day out.”