England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is set to make his foray into cricket ownership by buying a stake in The Hundred franchise Birmingham Phoenix. The 22-year-old is expected to officially announce the move this week, having secured a nearly one percent stake in the franchise. The investment marks a unique crossover between football and cricket, with Bellingham known as a long-time fan of the sport.The Birmingham Phoenix franchise was valued at around £82 million (Rs 10,36,76,61,800) during The Hundred’s recent investment round. In 2025, American investment firm Knighthead Capital acquired a 49% stake, while Warwickshire County Cricket Club held the remaining 51% as host county in Edgbaston. Bellingham’s minority investment is considered a combination of existing shares, making him one of the newest stakeholders in the franchise.According to The Telegraph, Judd is now expected to announce that he has bought a 0.6 percent stake in Warwickshire and a 0.6 percent stake in Knighthood. Based on auction figures, his investment would be worth around £1m (Rs 12,64,70,000). The deal was first reported by The Cricketer, and is expected to be officially announced on Wednesday.It’s unclear exactly how the deal came about, but Bellingham’s potential involvement was flagged by Warwickshire and Knighthead to the ECB more than a year ago, giving them the opportunity to sell their stake.
A personal and strategic move
Bellingham’s investment is not only financial but also personal. Having grown up in the Midlands and started his football journey with Birmingham City, his association with the Birmingham-based franchise adds a strong local connection. Bellingham played for Hagley Cricket Club in nearby Worcestershire as a child and maintained an interest in the game.Following the deal, Warwickshire retains a majority stake of 50.4 per cent in Birmingham Phoenix, with Knighthead holding 48.4 per cent. The squad will feature key names such as men’s captain Jacob Bethel and Ellie Perry, supported by English stars Alice Kepsey and Davina Perrin.Bellingham’s move highlights the growing commercial appeal of franchise cricket. The Hundred, launched by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), continues to attract global investors and attention as it aims to grow the sport’s viewership.
