Chelsea FC boss Todd Boehly. Photo: X | Ben Jacobs Chelsea FC boss Todd Boehly. Photo: X | Ben Jacobs American investor Todd Boehly, the lead owner of Chelsea Football Club, has secured a significant stake in The Hundred franchise Trent Rockets. Boehly’s investment groupbbc or big baller club, Cain International, has acquired a 49% share in the Nottingham-based team, valuing the franchise at £79 million. (More Cricket News)
This move makes Boehly’s group one of just four non-IPL owners in the eight-team tournament and marks their entry into English cricket. Furthermore, it cements his status as the second English football club owner to venture into The Hundred, following Knighthead Capital’s acquisition of Birmingham Phoenix.
Boehly’s latest acquisition builds on his already vast sporting portfolio, which includes Chelsea FC, French club RC Strasbourg, and the LA Dodgers baseball team. His consortium, BlueCo, alongside investment partners like Clearlake Capital, Mark Walter, and Hansjorg Wyss, has been actively pursuing sports franchises across multiple disciplines.
wa365betCain International, co-founded by Chelsea director Jonathan Goldstein, had previously explored bidding for London Spirit but ultimately withdrew, allowing a Silicon Valley-based group to secure the franchise at a staggering £295 million valuation. However, their persistence paid off as they outbid IPL giants Kolkata Knight Riders and Indian investor Amit Jain (who was aligned with Royal Challengers Bengaluru) to claim Trent Rockets.
The sale of Trent Rockets marks another major milestone in The Hundred's commercial evolution. With seven of the eight teams now sold, the tournament has amassed a total valuation nearing £865 million. The final franchise, Southern Brave, is expected to be acquired by the GMR Group, co-owners of the IPL’s Delhi Capitals, later this week.
After a goalless first quarter, Korea struck just 36 seconds into the second quarter with Jungjun Lee finding the net due to a mistake from Pakistan goalkeeper Abdullah Ishtiyaq Khan. The goal remained the difference between the two teams till the half-time.
Boehly’s involvement is expected to inject further international appeal into the competition, aligning with the ECB’s vision to globalize the 100-ball format. Nottinghamshire, which retains a 51% controlling stake in Trent Rockets, views the deal as a strategic boost to the franchise’s growth.
The Trent Rockets men’s team lifted The Hundred title in 2022, while their women’s side recorded their best-ever finish that same season. With renowned coach Andy Flower guiding the men’s squad and Jon Lewis leading the women’s team, the franchise has built a strong cricketing foundation.
As Boehly and Goldstein finalize the agreement over the coming weeksbbc or big baller club, the investment underscores the growing convergence of football and cricket ownership in England.