Jude Bellingham Acquires 20% Stake in Birmingham Phoenix for £800K in The Hundred 2026

England and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham buys a 20% minority stake in Birmingham Phoenix for £800,000 ahead of The Hundred 2026.

Premier league footballer joins cricket team England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has purchased a 1% ownership share in the Birmingham Phoenix, a franchise competing in The Hundred cricket competition. The announcement of the agreement is scheduled for confirmation on Wednesday. Valued close to £800,000, this financial transaction marks Bellingham's first venture into cricket franchise ownership. ## Investment group holds majority control Last year, the eight franchises in The Hundred were put on the market for acquisition. An American investment firm, Knighthead Capital Management, which formerly owned Birmingham City — the football club where Bellingham started his career — acquired a 49% stake in the Birmingham Phoenix for £48 million. The remaining 51% of the franchise remains under the ownership of Warwickshire County Cricket Club. ## Bellingham's personal connection to cricket Bellingham has publicly expressed his enthusiasm for cricket, having played at junior level for Hagley Cricket Club located in Worcestershire. His passion for the sport was evident when he was asked during a media interaction last year which elite athlete he would prefer to trade places with, and he named England Test captain Ben Stokes as his choice. ## Notable investors behind the franchise The ownership group includes former NFL quarterback Tom Brady, who is also affiliated with Knighthead Capital Management. This marks a unique crossover between different sports, with high-profile athletes investing in a domestic cricket competition.