Todd Boehly Expands Sporting Portfolio with Near £40m Cricket Investment
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has made a significant move into the world of cricket, investing close to £40m in The Hundred franchise, Trent Rockets. This move marks Boehly’s expansion into UK sports beyond football and showcases his commitment to diversifying his sporting investments.
Boehly’s Investment in Trent Rockets
The deal, initially reported by The Telegraph, involves Boehly acquiring a 49% stake in Trent Rockets alongside business partner Jonathan Goldstein, who is also a key figure in Chelsea’s BlueCo ownership group. Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club (CCC) will retain the majority 51% controlling stake in the franchise.
The purchase, valuing Trent Rockets at approximately £79m, underscores Boehly’s growing interest in British sports. Previously, he and Goldstein were interested in acquiring a stake in London Spirit, another The Hundred franchise, but lost out to an American consortium.
What This Means for The Hundred and English Cricket
Boehly’s investment follows a recent trend of American investors entering English cricket. NFL legend Tom Brady’s Knighthead Capital Group recently acquired a 49% stake in Birmingham Phoenix, another franchise in The Hundred competition. These investments reflect a growing belief in the commercial potential of The Hundred, despite some skepticism about the format’s long-term sustainability.
The ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) introduced The Hundred in 2021 to attract new audiences and modernize cricket. While some traditionalists remain skeptical, securing high-profile investors like Boehly suggests confidence in its future success.
Todd Boehly’s Expanding Sports Empire
Boehly is no stranger to sports investment. Before acquiring Chelsea FC in 2022, he built a diverse sporting portfolio, including stakes in:
- Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) – A 20% ownership stake; the team won the World Series in 2020 and 2024.
- Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) – A minority stake in one of basketball’s most successful franchises.
- Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA) – Expanding his influence into women’s basketball.
- Racing Strasbourg (Ligue 1, France) – Acquired in a £65m deal as part of Chelsea’s multi-club ownership strategy.
His move into cricket represents a new venture and signals a growing transatlantic investment trend in UK sports.
Chelsea’s Multi-Sport Strategy and Future Implications
Since taking control of Chelsea, Boehly and the BlueCo ownership group have prioritized global expansion and commercial growth. The investment in Trent Rockets could create potential cross-promotional opportunities between Chelsea FC and the cricket franchise. Given the rising commercialization of sports, it’s possible that Chelsea’s expertise in global marketing and branding could be leveraged to enhance the profile of The Hundred.
Additionally, Boehly’s investment comes at a time when Chelsea is looking to strengthen its financial model after heavy spending on player transfers. Diversification into other sports could be part of a broader strategy to build sustainable revenue streams outside of football.
The Future of Boehly’s Cricket Venture
As The Hundred looks to secure its long-term place in English cricket, investments from high-profile figures like Todd Boehly provide both financial stability and increased exposure. Whether Boehly’s involvement leads to further changes in the league’s structure or international appeal remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: he sees significant potential in English cricket.
With his extensive experience in sports business, Boehly’s backing could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of The Hundred and reinforcing its commercial viability in the years to come.
