Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) president and well-known cricket commentator and author Mark Nicholas has recently made a big statement saying that five IPL teams have shown mild interest in taking a stake in Lord’s-based The Hundred franchise London Spirit.

It is worth noting that the current MCC President is going to become the chairman of the London Spirit franchise in October. Nicholas’ statement has come at a time when MCC CEO Guy Lavender has sought permission from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to give 49 percent private stake in the London Spirit franchise.

However, Mark Nicholas has not announced the names of the IPL teams that have shown mild interest in taking a stake in this team. But this stake will be bid by the franchise and the remaining 51 percent stake will remain with the London Spirit franchise, due to which the ownership of the franchise will also remain with the team.

Mark Nicholas had given a statement earlier

Let us tell you that regarding the above issue, Mark Nicholas had said in World Cricket Connects on July 5 this month that the voting we are doing is to accept the ECB’s offer of 51 percent stake in this franchise (London Spirit). We will always be a members’ club. The first goal is membership harmony because as a member you are entitled to an idea.

Let us tell you that when the World Cricket Connect was organized in England, top officials of the cricket world along with top officials of the ICC had come to participate in it. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah and some owners of IPL teams were also present here.

However, it is not yet clear which teams are going to buy stake in the London Spirit team. So once the bidding process is completed by the ECB, only then the names of the teams buying stake will be revealed.