Finance
Soccer-Bellingham Buys Minority Stakes in the Hundred Franchise Birmingham Phoenix
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 22, 2026
1 min readLast updated: April 22, 2026
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Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham has acquired a ~1.2 % minority stake in The Hundred’s Birmingham Phoenix, aiming to support community and social initiatives. Warwickshire CCC now holds 50.4 %, Knighthead 48.4 %.
Jude Bellingham Takes Minority Stake in Birmingham Phoenix Franchise
Jude Bellingham's Investment and Community Focus
Details of the Stake Acquisition
April 22 (Reuters) - England international Jude Bellingham has acquired a minority stake in The Hundred franchise Birmingham Phoenix, co-owners Warwickshire County Cricket Club said on Wednesday.
The Real Madrid midfielder will take a 1.2% holding and will focus mainly on community engagement and social projects. Warwickshire will remain the majority stakeholder with 50.4% shares, and Knighthead Capital Management will hold 48.4%.
Bellingham's Motivation and Statement
"I feel like I owe the city something," the 22-year-old said in a statement.
"I was fortunate growing up I had the option of playing cricket and playing football, but some kids don’t have that opportunity. It’s important that if I can get involved in something like this to shine a light on an opportunity for kids, then even better."
The Hundred Tournament Overview
The sixth season of the tournament, which uses a 100-ball format, runs from July 21 to August 16.
(Reporting by Karan Prashant Saxena in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Key Takeaways
- •Bellingham purchased 1.2 % of Birmingham Phoenix, roughly £0.8–1 million, divided equally from Warwickshire CCC and Knighthead Capital (aol.com).
- •Post‑transaction, Warwickshire retains 50.4 % and Knighthead 48.4 %, with Bellingham’s investment focused on community engagement and CSR projects (aol.com).
- •The Hundred is undergoing significant private investment: Knighthead paid ~£40 million for 49 % stake in 2025; overall franchise valuations exceed £82 million, part of a broader £500 million-plus influx into the competition (apnews.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Soccer-Bellingham buys minority stakes in The Hundred franchise Birmingham Phoenix
1What stake did Jude Bellingham acquire in Birmingham Phoenix?
Jude Bellingham acquired a 1.2% minority stake in the Birmingham Phoenix franchise.
2Who are the main shareholders of Birmingham Phoenix?
Warwickshire County Cricket Club holds 50.4%, Knighthead Capital Management 48.4%, and Bellingham 1.2%.
3What will Jude Bellingham focus on after acquiring the stake?
He will concentrate mainly on community engagement and social projects.
4When does the sixth season of The Hundred tournament take place?
The sixth season runs from July 21 to August 16.
5Why did Jude Bellingham decide to invest in Birmingham Phoenix?
Bellingham wants to give back to the city and help provide sporting opportunities for local kids.
