The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is set to sell stakes in 8 Hundred teams next month. IPL franchises will also be seen bidding for this. According to media reports, the England Board may allow IPL franchise owners to change the names of the teams to attract ‘Indian Money’.

All IPL owners will bid

According to The Guardian report, the ECB is so keen to attract ‘Indian Money’ that even a minority investment will give strength to the new owners, especially when the owners of all the 10 IPL teams are expected to bid to buy shares in 8 teams.

A source told The Guardian,

All the IPL owners are saying they will bid but they would like some control over their cash. This is essentially a brand play for the IPL so we expect them to change the name, depending on the amount they invest.

Mumbai Indians franchise will bid for London Spirit

Ambani family, owners of Mumbai Indians, may be seen making a big bid for Hundred’s team London Spirit, which can be named MI London. Let us tell you, Mumbai already has teams like MI Cape Town, MI New York and MI Emirates in three other T20 leagues.

Rajasthan Royals will bid for Northern Superchargers as part of their investment in Yorkshire, while Delhi Capitals will bid for Southern Brave following their £120 million acquisition of Hampshire.

ECB has also discussed with these investors

The ECB has been in discussions with investors for several months, including American sports franchise owner Ryan Reynolds, a Hollywood actor, and Manchester United owner Avram Glazer, who have expressed interest in buying shares in the Hundred teams. The American owners of Birmingham City, Knighthead Capital, have expressed interest in buying shares in Birmingham Phoenix. Investors include NFL legend Tom Brady.

The governing body has been given the green signal by the counties to formally begin the process next month, which will be run by Raine Group, the US bank that managed United & Chelsea’s recent sale, The Guardian reports further.