England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is preparing to take his first steps into cricket ownership, with plans to buy a minority share in The Hundred franchise Birmingham Phoenix. The 22-year-old is expected to make the development public later this week after securing roughly a one per cent stake, underlining a rare meeting point between football stardom and the franchise game. Bellingham, a long-time admirer of cricket, is also expected to frame the move as both personal and strategic as he deepens his links with the Midlands.
Bellingham’s Hundred stake and its reported value
Birmingham Phoenix were valued at about £82 million (Rs 10,36,76,61,800) during The Hundred’s most recent fundraising round. In 2025, American investment firm Knighthead Capital purchased 49 per cent of the franchise, while Warwickshire County Cricket Club kept the remaining 51 per cent as the host county at Edgbaston.
While Bellingham’s entry is being described as a minority investment, the exact structure appears to be based on a mix of existing shares rather than a fresh issuance from the franchise. Reports have suggested that he is expected to announce he has bought 0.6 per cent of Warwickshire’s holding and 0.6 per cent of Knighthead’s, which—using figures linked to the auction—would put the value of his stake at around £1 million (Rs 12,64,70,000). The deal was first brought into the spotlight earlier by The Cricketer, and an official confirmation is anticipated on Wednesday.
How the deal was allowed to progress
It remains unclear what the precise mechanics behind the agreement are, but the groundwork for the possibility appears to have been laid well in advance. Warwickshire and Knighthead had flagged Bellingham’s potential involvement to the ECB more than a year ago, creating the pathway for them to complete a share sale as and when the investment could be finalised.
Birmingham Phoenix ownership picture and squad names
Beyond the headline figure, the move also reflects Bellingham’s connection to Birmingham and the wider region. Having grown up in the Midlands and begun his football path with Birmingham City, his association with a Birmingham-based franchise offers a strong local resonance. In his youth, he played for Hagley Cricket Club in nearby Worcestershire and has maintained an interest in the sport since.
After the transaction, Warwickshire are set to remain the majority holder of Birmingham Phoenix with a 50.4 per cent stake, while Knighthead’s share is expected to sit at 48.4 per cent. The squad is also expected to include prominent names such as men’s captain Jacob Bethell and Ellyse Perry, with support from emerging English talents Alice Capsey and Davina Perrin.
- Warwickshire expected to hold 50.4% in Birmingham Phoenix after the deal
- Knighthead expected to hold 48.4% in Birmingham Phoenix after the deal
- Bellingham’s stake expected to be split as 0.6% from Warwickshire’s share and 0.6% from Knighthead’s share
- Key squad names set to feature: Jacob Bethell, Ellyse Perry, Alice Capsey, Davina Perrin
Why this crossover matters for franchise cricket
Bellingham’s interest points to the growing commercial pull of franchise cricket, particularly as The Hundred continues to broaden its profile. The tournament was launched by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and has attracted global attention as it seeks to expand cricket’s audience beyond traditional boundaries. The Hundred’s continued ability to draw international investors is now being underlined again by a high-profile football figure choosing to enter the ownership conversation.
As the story develops, fans will be watching for the formal announcement expected this week and the official confirmation on Wednesday, which will mark another step in the expanding crossover between global sports and the franchise game.
