The Hampshire club and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are expected to make a formal announcement regarding a significant acquisition soon. This deal involves a substantial financial investment from the GMR Group, co-owners of the IPL’s Delhi Capitals.
The reported £120 million (US$153 million) deal includes full ownership of Hampshire County Cricket Club and a 51 percent stake in The Hundred’s Southern Brave, with the option to acquire all shares. Additionally, GMR will gain control of the Utilita Bowl cricket stadium, a Hilton hotel, and a golf course near Southampton.
The deal is planned to be finalized by the end of the year, in line with the ECB’s strategy to sell stakes in The Hundred franchises.
If completed, GMR will become the first overseas owners of an English cricket county, which could lead to player sharing between Hampshire and the Delhi Capitals in league matches such as The Hundred. As well as owning 50 percent of the Capitals, it also owns half of the Dubai Capitals, who play in the United Arab Emirates’ ILT20, and Major League Cricket’s Seattle Orcas.
Unlike most of England’s 18 first-class counties, Hampshire is no longer a members-owned club. Instead, its majority shareholder is businessman Rod Bransgrove, who took over in 2000 when the club was on the verge of bankruptcy.
Bransgrove, who has invested approximately £15 million (US$19 million) of his own money into the club, facilitated the move from Hampshire’s long-time home at Northlands Road in Southampton to the Rose Bowl on the city’s outskirts.
Now 74 years old, Bransgrove has led the club through a successful period, including winning several limited-overs trophies and attracting prominent overseas players like the late Australian legend Shane Warne, who captained Hampshire.
In 2023, it was announced that Bransgrove would step down after 23 years as chairman.
In a separate development, Yorkshire, an English county team, has resumed negotiations with the Rajasthan Royals regarding a potential acquisition of the Headingley-based team.
Initial interest in this acquisition was reported last October, when a £25 million (US$31.8 million) offer was allegedly made. However, the acquisition will require approval from Yorkshire’s 6,000 members.
