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Jude Bellingham Invests in Birmingham Phoenix Cricket Team

From The Punch · (just now) English Positive tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Footballer Jude Bellingham has bought a 1% stake in the Birmingham Phoenix cricket team.
  • The deal, valued at approximately £800,000, makes him a minority owner of the The Hundred franchise.
  • This investment reflects a growing trend of athletes diversifying into sports ownership, particularly in franchise cricket.

Jude Bellingham, the celebrated England and Real Madrid midfielder, has taken a significant step beyond the football pitch by acquiring a 1% stake in the Birmingham Phoenix cricket franchise. This move, reportedly valued at around £800,000, positions the young star as a minority owner in the burgeoning T20 competition, The Hundred.

This investment is more than just a financial transaction; it signifies a broader trend of elite athletes diversifying their portfolios and investing in the rapidly growing world of sports franchises. The Birmingham Phoenix, which recently saw a major investment from American firm Knighthead Capital Management, is part of a competition designed to attract new audiences to cricket.

Bellingham's personal connection to cricket, having played junior cricket in his youth and expressed admiration for England captain Ben Stokes, adds a layer of authenticity to this venture. It highlights a unique crossover between football and cricket, two of England's most popular sports, and underscores the increasing appeal of franchise leagues to both athletes and investors. The involvement of other high-profile figures like NFL legend Tom Brady in the investment group further emphasizes the global appeal and interconnectedness of modern sports ownership.

Probably Ben Stokes

— Jude BellinghamWhen asked about his sporting role model choice and who he would most like to swap places with.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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