A Major Player Circles The Hundred
The Hundred's ongoing transformation from a domestic competition into a globally attractive franchise property has taken another significant turn. Knight Riders Group (KRG), the organisation behind one of cricket's most recognised brands in Kolkata Knight Riders, has made clear it would seriously consider investing in a new franchise if The Hundred were to grow from eight to ten teams. As someone who has watched franchise cricket evolve over the past two decades, this kind of interest from a group with KRG's pedigree tells you everything about where the competition is heading.
KRG were already in the frame during the ECB's auction of franchise stakes last year, having pursued a position in Trent Rockets. That deal ultimately went to Cain International — the investment firm co-founded by Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly and British businessman Jonathan Goldstein — who acquired a 49% stake for just under £40 million. According to reports, senior KRG officials walked away from that process believing the valuation was slightly too high for what was on offer. That's a shrewd read of the market, and it suggests they'll be disciplined buyers when the right opportunity arises.
Expansion Plans and the 2029 Window
Any meaningful expansion of The Hundred is unlikely to happen before the current broadcast rights cycle concludes at the end of 2028. However, the prospect of adding two franchises — with Durham and a location in the south west, possibly Bristol or Taunton, previously mentioned as candidates — could significantly boost the value of the next media rights deal. From a commercial standpoint, more fixtures and broader regional coverage make the product more attractive to broadcasters. If KRG's involvement can further legitimise the competition on a global stage, the ECB would be foolish not to pursue it.
In betting terms, the prospect of expansion and heavyweight investors entering the fold would almost certainly shorten odds on The Hundred securing a record-breaking broadcast deal post-2028. The market's confidence in the competition's long-term viability has grown measurably since private investment began flowing in.
IPL Connections Are Reshaping the Competition
What strikes me most about this story is just how deeply IPL-linked ownership has already taken root in The Hundred. Sunrisers Leeds, Manchester Super Giants, MI London and Southern Brave all have ownership ties to IPL franchises. KRG joining that group would add yet another thread connecting English franchise cricket to the world's most powerful T20 league. For the competition's credibility and its ability to attract global talent, that can only be a positive development.
KRG's international portfolio is already one of the most extensive in franchise cricket, spanning operations in India, the Caribbean, the UAE and the United States. They understand how to build and operate cricket franchises across very different markets. A Hundred franchise would slot neatly into that global network, offering commercial and scouting synergies that a less experienced operator simply couldn't replicate.
What This Means for English Cricket
The ECB will be quietly encouraged by KRG's continued interest. Having another credible, well-resourced bidder in any future franchise auction creates competition and drives up valuations — which ultimately benefits the county game through redistribution of revenue. Whether a tenth franchise ends up in the north east or the south west, knowing that groups of this calibre are watching closely suggests The Hundred's expansion, when it eventually comes, won't be short of quality investment. The competition has come a long way since its controversial birth, and stories like this one suggest the journey is far from over.
