Jude Bellingham is reportedly preparing to enter cricket ownership, with news emerging that the England and Real Madrid midfielder has bought a small stake in Birmingham Phoenix ahead of the next phase of The Hundred. The reported deal is understood to be for a 1% interest in the franchise, a move that would add yet another major mainstream sporting name to a fast-expanding investor group in England’s T20-style competition.
Reported stake and what it could be worth
The Hundred franchise’s latest investment activity has put Birmingham Phoenix’s valuation at roughly £82 million. On that basis, a 1% holding would equate to approximately £820,000. However, some coverage has suggested the figure could edge nearer to £1 million, depending on the precise terms and the way the share split is structured.
- Reported purchase: 1% stake in Birmingham Phoenix
- Franchise valuation referenced: about £82 million
- Implied value of the 1% interest: roughly £820,000
- Alternative estimates: potentially close to £1 million based on share details
Why Birmingham Phoenix is an attractive franchise
Even though the percentage is small, it is not being framed as a mere ceremonial entry. Birmingham Phoenix is positioned as one of the more prominent teams within The Hundred and plays its home matches at Edgbaston, widely regarded as one of England’s key cricket venues.
The franchise’s ownership setup is also a notable part of the competition’s broader commercial narrative. Knighthead Capital is reported to have acquired a 49% stake, while Warwickshire is understood to hold the remaining 51% as the host county.
The wider significance for The Hundred’s investor push
Beyond the headline figure, Bellingham’s involvement is being highlighted for its local and personal connection. The midfielder’s path began in Birmingham football, with his development linked to Birmingham City before he moved on to Borussia Dortmund and later Real Madrid. That background gives the reported investment a deeper tie to the city where his rise started, rather than being viewed purely as a celebrity crossover play.
It also fits into a bigger shift in how franchise cricket is being financed in England. The Hundred’s investment model has pushed teams into a new financial tier, with the ECB stating that the eight completed team partnerships across the competition carried a combined valuation exceeding £975 million. In that context, any participation from a figure of Bellingham’s profile—no matter the size of the stake—signals the level of cross-sport interest the tournament is drawing.
What happens next
At this stage, the clearest position is that the move has been reported, with a formal announcement expected. Even without an official confirmation, the details already in circulation—valuation estimates, the established ownership structure, and the Birmingham link—point to a meaningful addition to the evolving landscape of English franchise cricket.
