Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham has acquired a minority stake in cricket franchise Birmingham Phoenix, stating that he feels he owes the city something. The investment sees the 22-year-old take a 1.2 per cent holding in the Edgbaston-based Hundred team, confirming his identity as the previously unnamed investor mentioned in parent club Warwickshire’s annual accounts.
The deal, valued at more than £800,000, comprises 0.6 per cent from Warwickshire and an additional 0.6 per cent from American investment partners Knighthead Capital. This follows Knighthead Capital’s acquisition of a 49 per cent stake last year, when the Phoenix franchise was valued at approximately £82 million during a sales process initiated by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Bellingham, who grew up in Stourbridge, began his illustrious career at Birmingham City, where his number 22 shirt was retired after his move to Borussia Dortmund at just 17. A keen cricket enthusiast, the 22-year-old previously played for Hagley in Worcestershire during his junior years.
Explaining his decision, Bellingham said: "I love Birmingham. I’m very grateful for what the whole city of Birmingham has done for me. I love cricket as well so when I got the opportunity to get involved I didn’t really think twice about it, so I’m so happy to be on board. I got the best upbringing into football, into life through Birmingham City. I feel like I owe the city something."
He acknowledged his busy football schedule but expressed a desire to contribute. "Right now it’s difficult with how busy I am with football, but if there’s a way in which I can help then I want to and this feels like a good way," Bellingham said.
The 22-year-old emphasised the importance of encouraging youth participation in sports, adding: "I think it’s so important to get our kids in the city out there playing sports. I think it’s crucial and the opportunity of me being a part of Birmingham Phoenix is to try and help people realise there’s different avenues. Some people will enjoy football, some people enjoy cricket."
He continued: "I was fortunate growing up I had the option of playing cricket and playing football, but some kids don’t have that opportunity. It’s important that if I can get involved in something like this to shine a light on an opportunity for kids, then even better."
Stuart Cain, chief executive at Warwickshire, welcomed the high-profile investment. "Jude loved cricket as a youngster and has wanted to be involved since The Hundred first went to market to secure investors," he stated. "He understands high performance sport, but more importantly as someone who grew up in the West Midlands and played the sport in his local streets, he understands the importance of sport and how it can play a positive role in young people’s lives. So, we look forward to working with him on a number of community initiatives moving forward."
This summer, Jacob Bethell, a promising talent in English cricket, is set to captain the Phoenix men’s team, while Australian great Ellyse Perry will lead the women’s side. Their first fixture is scheduled for July 24 at home, with the final taking place at Lord’s on August 16.
