England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has bought a 1.2% stake in The Hundred franchise Birmingham Phoenix, with the deal costing more than £800,000. The 22-year-old was revealed as the unnamed investor previously mentioned in the annual accounts of Warwickshire, the franchise's parent club.
The stake comprises 0.6% from Warwickshire and 0.6% from American investment partners Knighthead Capital, who last year acquired a 49% holding in the Phoenix for a valuation of around £82m. Bellingham said he felt a strong connection to the city and wanted to give back.
“I love Birmingham. I’m very grateful for what the whole city of Birmingham has done for me,” he said. “I love cricket as well so when I got the opportunity to get involved I didn’t really think twice about it. I got the best upbringing into football, into life through Birmingham City. I feel like I owe the city something.”
Bellingham, who grew up in Stourbridge and began his career at Birmingham City, also played junior cricket for Hagley in Worcestershire. He highlighted the importance of encouraging children to take up sport, saying: “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 investment. “Jude loved cricket as a youngster and has wanted to be involved since The Hundred first went to market to secure investors,” he said. “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.”
Jacob Bethell is set to captain the men's team this summer, with Australia's Ellyse Perry leading the women's side. The franchise's first home fixture is scheduled for 24 July, with the final at Lord's on 16 August.
