A Familiar Tournament With Major Shifts Ahead
The Hundred 2025 is back, bringing the fast-paced summer cricket action fans have come to expect each year. But this season feels different — it could be a turning point for the competition, and maybe even for English cricket itself.
While the matches themselves look familiar, it’s what’s happening off the field that could reshape the tournament’s future.
Big-Money Deals Changing the Game
In July 2025, the ECB announced that six out of the eight teams in The Hundred have entered into franchise agreements — and we’re not talking about simple sponsorships. These are full-scale ownership deals, with reported values exceeding £500 million combined. Some estimates even suggest total franchise valuations are approaching £975 million.
These new investors will take over operations from October 1, 2025, with full control over branding, team management, and future strategy.
This is more than just financial backing. These owners now have a major say in how teams are shaped, marketed, and managed moving forward.
Who Owns What Now?
Here’s a breakdown of the reported ownership deals so far:
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Northern Superchargers – Fully acquired by Sun TV Network (approx. £100 million)
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Manchester Originals – 70% sold to the RPSG Group (owners of Lucknow Super Giants)
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London Spirit – 49% acquired by a US-based tech consortium (approx. £85–90 million)
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Birmingham Phoenix – 49% stake sold to Knighthead Capital (linked to Tom Brady)
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Southern Brave – 49% sold to GMR Group (co-owners of Delhi Capitals)
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Welsh Fire – 50% sold to the Washington Freedom consortium (US-based investors)
The remaining two teams — Oval Invincibles and Trent Rockets — are reportedly in advanced talks, with deals expected to close by the end of the year.
What Could Change After 2025?
Team Identities
So far, no official rebranding has been confirmed, but the ECB has said it’s open to changes. That means new names, logos, or team colours could be introduced, depending on what the new owners want.
Marketing and Strategy
Franchise owners are likely to bring their own approach. For instance, GMR Group — with IPL experience — might apply similar fan engagement strategies to Southern Brave.
Commercial Direction
With international investors now involved, there’s likely to be a stronger push for:
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Global visibility
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Cross-format promotion
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Bigger international broadcast deals
That said, the ECB will still control tournament rules, player contracts, and scheduling — at least for now.
Will the 100-Ball Format Survive?
This is one of the biggest questions heading into 2026.
The Hundred was launched to offer a shorter, TV-friendly alternative to T20 cricket. But many of the new owners already operate successful T20 franchises — and some reportedly prefer that more established format.
For now, the ECB has confirmed the 100-ball format will stay — but it’s under review.
“The format remains under review, as part of a long-term assessment of The Hundred’s structure,”
— an ECB spokesperson, July 2025.
If investor pressure grows, format changes could happen as early as 2026.
Gender Pay Gap: Still a Big Problem
Despite all the new investment, the gender pay gap in The Hundred has actually widened in 2025:
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Top men’s salary: £200,000
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Top women’s salary: £65,000
→ That’s a £135,000 difference, even larger than last year.
Some fans have voiced frustration:
“If there’s money for franchise buyouts, there’s money for fair pay.”
Many women’s players have raised concerns too, calling the gap a sign that equal investment still isn’t a priority.
Is The Hundred Growing the Game?
It’s complicated.
Yes, The Hundred brings strong crowds and solid TV ratings. But according to the ECB’s own data, it’s unclear whether it’s:
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Turning casual viewers into long-term cricket fans
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Boosting interest in Test or County cricket
So while the tournament has delivered excitement and fresh attention, its long-term impact on English cricket is still uncertain.
The Bottom Line
This could be the final version of The Hundred as we know it.
With private franchise owners stepping in — and possible format changes looming — the 2026 edition might be:
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More polished
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More global
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More profitable
But it also risks losing the originality that made The Hundred stand out in the first place.
Some fans are optimistic. Others are uneasy.
What’s certain is this: The Hundred is evolving — fast.
FAQs
Q1: Is The Hundred being replaced after 2025?
No, but major changes — in ownership and possibly format — are expected starting in 2026.
Q2: Who owns the teams now?
Six teams have already been sold to private investors. The final two deals are expected soon.
Q3: Will the 100-ball format continue?
It’s staying for now, but may change depending on pressure from franchise owners and broadcasters.
Q4: What role will the ECB play going forward?
The ECB will still control the tournament structure, rules, and player contracts. Team operations will shift to franchises.
Q5: Why is the gender pay gap such a big issue?
Despite growing investment, the gap between male and female salaries is widening, raising major concerns about fairness and equality.
For more updates, visit sportupia.com
