Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid midfielder who also captains the England national team, has announced a new venture that ties him back to his hometown of Birmingham. He will become a shareholder in the Birmingham Phoenix, one of the franchises competing in The Hundred, the innovative 100‑ball cricket competition that runs each summer in England. Bellingham said the investment is a way of giving back to the city that nurtured his talent, describing it as a feeling that he "owes the city something" and that this partnership feels like the right avenue to do so.
The former Birmingham City academy product will acquire a 1.2 percent stake in the Phoenix. The majority share, 50.4 percent, remains with Warwickshire County Cricket Club, while Knighthead Capital Management – the investment firm that owns Birmingham City and counts NFL legend Tom Brady among its minority investors – holds 48.4 percent.
Bellingham’s modest share still signals a meaningful commitment, especially because he plans to focus on community outreach and corporate social responsibility initiatives that use sport to bring people from diverse backgrounds together. In a recent interview with Warwickshire CCC, Bellingham spoke fondly about his childhood love of cricket.
He recalled that he and his older brother Jobe would often end up in friendly "scraps" while playing the game in their Stourbridge neighbourhood, and that cricket has become his favourite pastime to watch when he is not on the football pitch. "It’s probably my favourite thing to watch outside football," he said, adding that he especially enjoys the longer format of Test matches, where he can settle in for a full day of play after a training session.
Bellingham also reflected on the culture of Birmingham that shaped his character. He described the city as a place where everyone wants to see each other succeed, a supportive environment that encouraged him to strive for excellence rather than fostering a cut‑throat, ruthless mentality. "It wasn’t like other areas I’ve been to where it’s very cutthroat.
Everyone cares for one another really well," he explained. Those values, he said, are the ones he carries with him on his travels to Germany, Spain and beyond, and he hopes to showcase Birmingham’s community spirit on the global stage. The investment comes at a time of significant change for The Hundred.
Since last year, more than £520 million of private capital has been injected into the competition, prompting a series of re‑brandings for three of its eight teams to align them with new owners from the Indian Premier League. Manchester Super Giants (formerly the Originals), Sunrisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers) and MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles) are the latest examples of this transformation.
The 2026 season will see every match – both men’s and women’s – broadcast live on Sky Sports, with a schedule that runs from late July through mid‑August. When asked why he chose to become involved with the Phoenix, Bellingham answered without hesitation: "When the opportunity came up, I didn’t think twice. I love Birmingham and I’m incredibly grateful for everything the city has given me.
It feels like a natural way to give back, but through a different sport." He emphasized that his affection for Birmingham goes beyond football; the city is where he grew up playing both football and cricket, and it remains the place he considers his true home. "Birmingham City were the best team I could have ever come through at, and the best team I could have supported," he added, underscoring the deep personal connection he feels to the area. Bellingham also shared insights into the competitive dynamic he had with his brother.
"We’re a competitive pair of lads – everything we did ended in scraps and tears, whether it was Monopoly, football or cricket," he laughed. While Jobe may not have shared the same enthusiasm for cricket, the sibling rivalry still provided countless hours of fun and helped forge Bellingham’s love for the sport. On the broader topic of cricket’s influence on young athletes, Bellingham highlighted the game’s inherent class and elegance. He pointed to the ceremonial aspects – the toss, the captain’s blazer and cap, the respectful interaction between fans and players – as hallmarks of a sport that teaches respect and poise.
"There’s a line of respect between teams, even in big rivalries," he noted, acknowledging that, like any sport, tensions can flare but the overall atmosphere remains courteous. He praised the graceful movements of bowlers and batsmen, describing them as "elegant" and "classy." When asked whether football could learn from cricket, Bellingham suggested that the English game might benefit from cricket’s lighter‑heartedness.
He cited the humor found in stump‑mic commentary and the colourful personalities that have emerged over the years, arguing that a more relaxed approach could make footballers seem more relatable and less subjected to relentless scrutiny. Staying true to his roots, Bellingham affirmed that his Birmingham upbringing is central to his identity.
"It’s not just the accent or the way you talk; it’s the values you take from Birmingham," he said. He reiterated that the city’s supportive environment taught him to push himself and others toward excellence, a lesson he carries wherever he plays. "I want to show the world that where I come from is an amazing place with amazing values," he concluded, adding that while he may occasionally make mistakes – a trait he humorously attributes to being a "Brummie" – he remains proud to represent Birmingham on the international stage.
The 2026 Hundred schedule features several Phoenix fixtures, including clashes against the Trent Rockets, Manchester Super Giants, Southern Brave, Welsh Fire, Sunrisers Leeds, London Spirit and MI London. All games will be streamed live on Sky Sports, with women’s matches preceding the men’s contests at each venue. Fans can tune in from July 21 to August 16 to watch the Phoenix chase the title and witness Bellingham’s new role as an investor and ambassador for the sport.