Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid midfielder and England international, 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 eight franchises that compete in The Hundred, the fast‑paced 100‑ball cricket competition in England. Bellingham says he feels a deep sense of gratitude toward the city that nurtured his early sporting life, and he wants to give back through this investment, which he describes as a way of repaying a debt he feels he owes to Birmingham. The former Birmingham City academy product will acquire a modest 1.2 percent stake in the Phoenix.
The majority share, 50.4 percent, remains with Warwickshire County Cricket Club, while the remaining 48.4 percent is held by Knighthead Capital Management, the investment firm that also owns Birmingham City Football Club. Knighthead’s ownership group includes a minority stake from NFL legend Tom Brady, adding a further layer of cross‑sport intrigue to the deal. Bellingham’s involvement is not limited to a financial contribution. He has pledged to focus on community outreach and corporate social responsibility initiatives, aiming to broaden cricket’s appeal among young people and to use sport as a bridge between diverse communities.
In an interview with Warwickshire CCC, he recalled how he and his brother Jobe would often turn a friendly game of cricket into a full‑blown “scrap” as children, a memory that now fuels his enthusiasm for the sport. He admitted that, outside of football, cricket has become his favourite pastime to watch on television.
Speaking about his roots, Bellingham explained, “I feel like I owe the city something. And this feels like a good way, in a different but still sporting avenue.” He highlighted Birmingham’s unique culture, describing it as a place where people genuinely support one another and encourage each other to strive for excellence.
“It wasn’t like other areas I’ve been to where it’s very cut‑throat and ruthless. Here, everyone cares for one another,” he said. Those values, he believes, have shaped his approach to both football and cricket, and he hopes to showcase them on the global stage as he travels for club duties in Spain and Germany.
The investment arrives at a time of significant change for The Hundred. Since last year, the competition has attracted more than £520 million in private capital, prompting a rebranding of three franchises to align them with their new Indian Premier League‑backed owners: Manchester Super Giants (formerly the Originals), Sunrisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers) and MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles).
The 2026 season will see a full slate of fixtures, with every match—both men’s and women’s—broadcast live on Sky Sports. The schedule includes a series of double‑headers where a women’s game precedes the men’s contest at the same venue, underscoring the competition’s commitment to gender parity. When asked why he chose to become part of Birmingham Phoenix, Bellingham replied without hesitation: “When the opportunity came, I didn’t think twice. I love Birmingham.
I’m very grateful for what the city has done for me.” He went on to praise Birmingham City Football Club as the best team he could have ever emerged from, noting that the club gave him the ideal upbringing both on and off the pitch. "I feel like I owe the city something, and this feels like a good way," he repeated, emphasizing that his involvement is a continuation of his loyalty to the region. Bellingham also shared insights into his cricketing preferences.
He enjoys Test matches the most, especially when he can follow an entire day of play after training sessions. He described cricket as possessing a certain class and elegance that he feels is sometimes missing from football. From the ceremonial toss to captains in blazers and caps, and the respectful interaction between fans and players, he believes the sport exudes a dignified atmosphere.
"The way the players move to bowl and bat can be very elegant," he noted, adding that this aesthetic quality is part of why he finds cricket so compelling. The young midfielder also reflected on the competitive nature of his childhood with his brother Jobe. "We’re a competitive pair of lads.
Pretty much everything we did ended in scraps and tears, whether it was Monopoly, football or cricket," he laughed. Even though Jobe may not have loved cricket as much as Jude, the sibling rivalry fostered a love for the game that has endured. When asked whether football could learn from cricket, Bellingham suggested that the latter’s lighter‑hearted vibe and humor might be beneficial.
He mentioned the popularity of stump‑mic recordings and documentaries that reveal the personalities behind the sport, noting that cricket players often receive appreciation for both their skill and character, perhaps more so than in the high‑pressure world of football. Staying true to his Birmingham roots remains a cornerstone of Bellingham’s identity.
He stressed that it is not merely about accent or dialect, but about the values instilled by his upbringing: community support, humility, and a desire to see others succeed. "I want to show the world that where I come from is an amazing place with amazing values," he affirmed. He also acknowledged the occasional misstep, humorously attributing it to the typical Brummie tendency to not take things too seriously.
The upcoming 2026 edition of The Hundred will feature Birmingham Phoenix in a series of high‑profile matches. The team’s schedule includes a women’s and men’s clash against the Trent Rockets at Edgbaston on July 24, a showdown with Manchester Super Giants at Emirates Old Trafford on July 26, and further fixtures against Southern Brave, Welsh Fire, Sunrisers Leeds, London Spirit and MI London throughout August. All games will be streamed live on Sky Sports, with the tournament culminating in the eliminators on August 14 and the finals on August 16.
In summary, Jude Bellingham’s investment in Birmingham Phoenix is more than a financial transaction; it is a heartfelt tribute to the city that shaped him. By championing cricket’s community potential and promoting the sport’s inherent class and camaraderie, he hopes to give back to Birmingham while also reinforcing the values that have guided his own career. His involvement signals a growing trend of elite athletes diversifying into other sports and using their platforms to foster social good, and it underscores the increasingly interconnected nature of modern professional sport.