Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has joined a consortium of prominent Silicon Valley executives in a bid to acquire a London-based cricket team, reportedly offering over £80 million (approximately $97 million). The group is targeting one of two teams in The Hundred, an innovative short-format cricket tournament in England and Wales, specifically the Oval Invincibles or the London Spirit.
The consortium is spearheaded by Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, and Satyan Gajwani, vice-chairman of Times Internet Ltd. Other notable members include Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, and Egon Durban, co-CEO of Silver Lake Management. This high-profile bid reflects a growing trend among Indian-origin tech leaders investing in sports, particularly cricket.
The Hundred, launched in 2021, aims to attract younger audiences with its unique 100-ball format. The tournament has already garnered significant attention, drawing over 2 million fans to its matches across eight venues. The London Spirit plays at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, often referred to as the ‘home of cricket’, while the Oval Invincibles are based at The Oval. Both teams have strong fan bases and are considered appealing targets for investment.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is looking to sell a 49% stake in its eight teams in The Hundred, with options for full ownership available. The auction is being managed by investment bank Raine Group and has attracted interest from various international bidders. Pichai’s involvement highlights his passion for cricket and marks a significant step in the sport’s potential expansion into non-traditional markets.
As the final decision on the bids approaches, the involvement of such high-profile tech executives could reshape the future of cricket in England and enhance its appeal globally.
