The Mumbai Indians, known for their dominance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), have expanded their cricketing empire by clinching a 49% stake in the Oval Invincibles, a franchise in England's The Hundred tournament. This acquisition marks a significant milestone as it's the first instance where an IPL franchise owner has invested in The Hundred, signaling a growing trend of international cricket investment.
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| Image Credits: Mumbai Indians |
Mumbai Indians, reportedly secured this stake through a competitive bidding process, outbidding a consortium of Silicon Valley tech entrepreneurs and private equity firm CVC Capital. The deal values the Oval Invincibles franchise at an impressive £123 million, with MI committing to pay just over £60 million for their share (which will be a 49% stake).
This transaction not only showcases the financial muscle of Mumbai Indians but also their strategic intent to leverage their brand across different cricket leagues globally.
The Oval Invincibles, based in South London, have been champions in The Hundred's men's division for two consecutive seasons (2023 & 2024) and have a strong track record with their women's team as well who won the championship in both 2021 and 2022.
With Mumbai Indians' involvement, the franchise is expected to benefit from enhanced marketing, especially in overseas markets, and possibly from the experience of managing successful cricket teams.
This move adds Oval Invincibles to MI portfolio, which already includes teams like MI New York in Major League Cricket, MI Cape Town in SA20, and MI Emirates in ILT20, showcasing their ambition in the global cricket landscape. The integration could potentially bring new strategies, fan engagement ideas, and player development programs to The Hundred, further elevating the competition's global appeal.
