Jude Bellingham, the renowned English midfielder who plays for Real Madrid, has announced his investment in the Birmingham Phoenix, a team competing in The Hundred. Bellingham expressed his feelings of indebtedness to the city of Birmingham, where he spent his formative years and developed his passion for sports.
As part of his investment, he will focus on community engagement and corporate social responsibility initiatives, aiming to increase participation in cricket and foster social cohesion through the power of sports. Bellingham, who holds 1.2 percent of the team's equity, emphasized his commitment to giving back to the city that nurtured his growth.
In an interview, he shared his fond memories of playing cricket with his brother Jobe and highlighted the values of respect, elegance, and camaraderie that the sport embodies. Bellingham's investment is part of a larger restructuring of The Hundred, with over £520 million in private investment being injected into the tournament.
The 2026 season will feature all matches live on Sky Sports, including the eliminators and finals.