In a landmark move set to reshape English domestic cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has successfully raised over £500 million through the partial sale of its eight teams in The Hundred competition. This massive financial injection will directly benefit all 18 first-class counties, each set to receive around £25 million, while 10% of the overall sum has been reserved for grassroots cricket development.
This funding deal marks one of the most significant commercial events in the history of English cricket. Prominent investors, including international franchises like the owners of the Mumbai Indians and a number of private equity firms, have secured 49% stakes in individual Hundred teams. The ECB, however, retains overall control, ensuring the competition continues to operate under its governance.
Counties will not receive their £25 million allocations in one lump sum. Instead, the ECB has put in place strict financial control measures to prevent mismanagement. Each county must submit detailed business plans and investment proposals outlining how they intend to use the money. These plans will be evaluated for strategic alignment, sustainability, and long-term viability before any funds are released. The approach is aimed at preventing reckless spending and encouraging careful, impact-focused investment.
The ECB has learned from past examples in other sports, particularly rugby union, where sudden inflows of private capital led to unsustainable wage inflation and the eventual collapse of several clubs. By keeping funds centrally managed and closely monitored, the ECB hopes to avoid similar pitfalls in cricket.
This financial windfall comes at a crucial time. A recent report revealed that counties were collectively burdened with over £330 million in debt, and several were on the brink of collapse. The report warned that without major new income, at least six counties could have faced financial ruin in the near future. Many clubs, especially those not directly hosting a Hundred team or lacking international fixtures, were struggling to stay afloat.
With the new funding, counties now have a rare opportunity to stabilise their finances, invest in facilities, grow new revenue streams, and broaden their engagement with local communities. The grassroots allocation, amounting to over £50 million, will be targeted towards youth participation, community coaching, and expanding access to cricket at the school and club levels.
Yet, while the cash influx offers great promise, concerns remain about how it will affect the balance of power within the domestic game. Counties with greater commercial capacity and links to Hundred franchises may continue to pull ahead, increasing disparities across the structure. The ECB’s financial safeguards and phased funding are designed to minimise this risk, but only time will tell how evenly the benefits are distributed.
This deal, a first of its kind in English cricket, could serve as the financial foundation for a more modern, sustainable county system. But for that vision to materialise, careful management, equitable distribution, and long-term planning will be essential.