The Hundred – Mukesh Ambani Hundred Investment? The Mumbai Indians owner Mukesh Ambani is on buying spree in global cricket leagues. Ambanis have recently bought a team in forthcoming Cricket South Africa’s T20 League and also acquired a team in yet to be launched UAE’s International T20 League. Ambani on Tuesday was spotted at The Hundred raising speculation that the billionaire business tycoon is now interesting in owning a franchise in The Hundred: Follow The Hundred LIVE Updates & Cricket News LIVE with InsideSport.IN
Ambani was spotted at The Hundred along with former Indian coach Ravi Shastri and Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
In the august company of two people who love their cricket @HomeOfCricket – Mr Mukesh Ambani and Mr @sundarpichai at @thehundred @SkyCricket pic.twitter.com/JYnkGlMd8W
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) August 9, 2022
It is worth noting that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is yet to sell even a single franchise of The Hundred till date. Though previous reports in UK Media had suggested that the ECB had earlier proposed ownership stakes to each of the IPL franchise. The plan was shelved in 2021 as the Indian IPL team onwners were not interested in owning the part stakes.
Now with Ambani spotted watching The Hundred, rumor mills have again started buzzing that the business tycoon is interested in investing in The Hundred.
Not only Ambani but avid cricket fan Google CEO Sundar Pichai also attended the Hundred match. Pichai also earlier was in talks to own a team in Major League Cricket in America and also other leagues.
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Are other IPL Team owners interesrted in The Hundred? Manoj Badale, the London-based owner of Rajasthan Royals, and Venky Mysore, CEO and MD of Kolkata Knight Riders, had in the past said that they would explore if the opportunity to invest in The Hundred came their way.
Two years ago, Badale was asked if he sees the UK as a market for short format cricket. “Yes. The ECB is investing heavily in the development of cricket in this country and with The Hundred, their marketing spends will only increase further. We are looking to increase our touch points with the UK cricketing community and hence support the growth of the game,” Badale was quoted as saying by www.sportindustry.biz.
It is worth noting that the BCCI does not allow players to play in overseas T20 leagues. But it doesn’t have any rule to bar team owners to invest in foregin T20 Leagues.
What is The Hundred? It is a different format, compared to the existing T20 format. It is a 100-ball cricket tournament which comprises of eight men and women’s team in Great Britain. The first edition met success last year and the second edition has already kickstarted with aplomb.
Though The Hundred did meet their fare of criticism, it has been lauded as a success with crowd turning in large numbers last year.
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