Andrew Strauss in discussions to buy a franchise in The Hundred
Published - 25 Jul 2024, 05:12 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:16 AM
Former England skipper Andrew Strauss is in discussions regarding buying a team in The Hundred competition. TTB Sports Capital, Strauss' investment company, is reportedly the consultant on behalf of the potential bidders from India, the UK, and the USA.
According to a report from The Guardian, the investment company can also make its bid as well. Strauss got involved with TTB Sports Capital in 2023 to lead its cricket investment after two spells at the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board). Strauss worked as a director and as an advisor to the board. Currently, he is the managing director of the ECB.
Andrew Strauss is a shareholder in TTB Sport Capital
The left-handed batter is an executive chairman and a shareholder in TTB Sports Capital, which means he will have a personal stake if the company invests in any Hundred franchise.
TTB Sports Capital has investments in other sports leagues too. They have invested in the racquet sport of padel, Angel City, the LA-based National Women’s Soccer League team whose shareholders include renowned celebrities like Natalie Portman, Serena Williams, and Billie Jean King.
Strauss is one of the most experienced and well-connected persons in English cricket. He was a prolific opening batter at his time and also led England to a historic 2010-11 Ashes series win in Australia.
Strauss played a key role during England's dramatic transition into an aggressive side where they brought several changes to the team. He spent three and a half years working as the Director of Cricket for ECB. During this time, Eoin Morgan and Trevor Bayliss were appointed as England's captain and coach respectively. This pair later won the World Cup title for England in 2019.
Andrew Strauss' record in international cricket
He played exactly 100 Tests for England, scoring 7037 runs at an average of 40.91. He had 21 Test hundreds to his name. Strauss also played 127 ODIs for England, scoring 4205 runs at an average of 35.63 and a strike rate of 80.94. His best of 158 in ODIs came in the famous tied match against India in the 2011 World Cup.
Strauss is believed to be close to ECB's TV partners Sky Sports, which owns the domestic TV rights until the end of the 2028 cricketing season. He is often seen as a cricket expert or a commentator in the Sky studio, especially during England's home series.
The former England opener is one of those persons who have been in favor of The Hundred tournament. In the 21st MCC Cowdrety Lecture, he lauded the growth of the franchise leagues for taking the game of cricket forward and helping to commercialize the game.
Meanwhile, the ECB is currently planning to hand a 51% stake in each of The Hundred franchises to the counties and sell the remaining shares to private investors in a three-month auction which will start in September.
It is believed that IPL teams like Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants, and the Delhi Capitals are interested in buying a franchise. RCB and MI are believed to be most frustrated with the ECB's sales process while RR, LSG, and DC seemed satisfied and enthusiastic.
