A consortium of tech billionaires, including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, has purchased a major stake in London Spirit, a team competing in England’s The Hundred tournament. The deal, worth £145 million (approximately 15.58 billion Pakistani rupees), marks a significant investment by Silicon Valley’s elite into English cricket.
Who’s Behind the Acquisition?
According to media reports, the consortium consists of several high-profile executives:
Satya Nadella (Microsoft CEO)
Sundar Pichai (Google CEO)
Satyan Gajwani (Co-founder of Major League Cricket and Vice Chairman of Times Internet)
Nikesh Arora (Tech Executive and CEO of Palo Alto Networks)
Other unnamed investors (totaling 11 members in the consortium)
The group’s bid was led by Satyan Gajwani and Nikesh Arora. Interestingly, five members of the consortium remain undisclosed.
Fierce Bidding War for London Spirit
A major bidding battle emerged for a 49% stake in London Spirit, with Nikesh Arora ultimately securing the deal. This acquisition has caused a significant financial impact on English cricket, as large sums of money flow into the sport from overseas investors.
More High-Value Investments in The Hundred
Another major sale in The Hundred involved Major League Cricket team Washington Freedom, which acquired shares in Welsh Fire for £65 million.
ECB Retains Majority Control
Despite these massive investments, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has maintained control by selling only 49% of each team’s shares, keeping 51% ownership under its management.
Conclusion
The influx of tech industry leaders into English cricket signals growing global interest in the sport. As The Hundred continues to attract high-profile investors, it could reshape the financial landscape of English cricket in the coming years.
