Real Madrid and England's Jude Bellingham has announced his investment in The Hundred's Birmingham Phoenix, expressing his desire to give back to the city of Birmingham. Bellingham, who grew up in Stourbridge, will hold a 1.2 per cent stake in the team, with Warwickshire County Cricket Club maintaining majority control at 50.4 per cent and Birmingham City owners Knighthead Capital Management holding 48.4 per cent.
In an interview, Bellingham spoke about his love for cricket, which he developed during his childhood, playing with his brother Jobe. He also highlighted the importance of community engagement and Corporate Social Responsibility projects, aiming to increase participation in cricket and bring people from different backgrounds together through the power of sport. Bellingham's investment is part of a larger shake-up in The Hundred, with over £520m in private investment being injected into the tournament. The 2026 season will feature every match live on Sky Sports, including the eliminators and finals.
Bellingham emphasized the values he learned growing up in Birmingham, such as the importance of community and mutual support, which he aims to promote through his involvement with the Phoenix. He also expressed his admiration for the elegance and class of cricket, suggesting that football could learn from the sport's light-heartedness and humor.