DC owner buys major stake in Hampshire
IPL franchise Delhi Capitals co-owners GMR Group has agreed a deal with English county team Hampshire to buy key shares worth 120 million pounds (around Rs 1278 crore). IPL franchise Delhi Capitals co-owners GMR Group has agreed a deal with English county team Hampshire to buy key shares worth 120 million pounds (around Rs 1278 crore).
Thus, Hampshire will become the first county team to be owned by a foreign entity, as GMR Group will now have control over 51 per cent of the team’s shares. The Telegraph reported, “It is understood that the Delhi co-owners have beaten a second bid from rival Indian Premier League franchise Lucknow Super Giants, which valued Hampshire at 120 million pounds, although that price includes the club’s debts of around 60 million pounds.
Cricket stadium in Hampshire
Additionally, the GMR Group will also take control of the Utilita Bowl (cricket stadium in Hampshire), the Hilton Hotel and a golf course at the same location. Apart from being a co-owner of the Delhi Capitals, the GMR Group also has equal stakes in Dubai Capitals, the ILT20 side in the UAE, and Seattle Orcas, the Major League Cricket outfit in the USA.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Hampshire club officials and the new owners are expected to make an official announcement about the deal soon. Apart from the significant investment, the acquisition could also open up the possibility for Hampshire to gain access to some of the Delhi Capitals’ young players for domestic tournaments like the Hundred.
Does not allow Indian cricketers to play in overseas tournaments
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not allow active Indian cricketers to play in overseas tournaments. In another significant development, another English county side Yorkshire has resumed its talks with Rajasthan Royals for a possible acquisition of the Headingley-based club.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Hampshire club officials and the new owners are expected to make an official announcement about the deal soon. In another important development, Rajasthan Royals have resumed talks with Yorkshire about a takeover at Headingley, although the process will take a long time to complete as chairman Colin Graves is yet to get approval from the members to take the club private.
Some young players from Delhi Capitals
Apart from the significant investment, the acquisition could also open up the possibility for Hampshire to gain access to some of the Delhi Capitals’ young players for domestic tournaments like the Hundred. However, currently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not allow active Indian cricketers to play in overseas tournaments.
In another important development, another English county team Yorkshire has resumed its talks with Rajasthan Royals for a possible takeover of the Headingley-based club.
Equal stake in ILT20 team and USA cricket team
Apart from being a co-owner of the Capitals, the GMR Group also has an equal stake in the Dubai Capitals, the ILT20 team in the UAE, and the Seattle Orcas, a Major League Cricket team in the USA. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Hampshire club officials and the new owners will soon make an official announcement about the deal. Apart from the significant investment, the acquisition could also open up the possibility for Hampshire to gain access to some of the Delhi Capitals’ young players for domestic tournaments such as the Hundred.
Hampshire’s value appears to have risen from a starting point of around £100 million during the negotiation process, an increase reflecting the ECB’s decision to give them a 51 per cent stake in the Southern Braves. The high valuation is also due to an impressive international fixture list and the promise of strong ticket sales secured by owner Rod Bransgrove, who is set to be rewarded for his astute management of a club he rescued from bankruptcy 24 years ago.
Ashes Test match finally secured for Hampshire in 2027
After more than two decades of lobbying the ECB, Bransgrove has finally secured an Ashes Test match for Hampshire in 2027, while the Utilita Bowl will also host an India Test in 2029, another Test the following year and eight England white-ball matches between 2025 and 2031. Apart from buying the club, GMR will also take control of the Utilita Bowl, a Hilton hotel and a golf course on the same site near Southampton.
Conclusion
GMR Group, co-owner of IPL franchise Delhi Capitals, has agreed a deal with English county team Hampshire to buy major shares worth 120 million pounds (around Rs 1278 crore). Thus, Hampshire will become the first county team to be owned by a foreign entity, as GMR Group will now have control of 51 per cent of the team’s shares.
The Delhi co-owners are understood to have beaten off a second bid from rival Indian Premier League franchise Lucknow Super Giants, which valued Hampshire at £120million, although that price is likely to be too high.
