The Sun Group Makes a Power Move in Hundred Sale
In a surprising turn of events, the Sun Group, known for their ownership of the IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad, has acquired full ownership of the Northern Superchargers, a team based in Yorkshire, in the ongoing Hundred sale. This marks the third IPL team owner to enter the fray, with the Sun Group making the highest bid for the Leeds franchise.
The deal involves the acquisition of 100% of the franchise, including the ECB’s 49% stake and Yorkshire’s 51% share. This acquisition sets the Superchargers apart as the first team to be sold outright, with host venues retaining a share in the first five franchises sold. The Sun Group’s valuation of the Superchargers came in at an impressive £100 million, outbidding two other parties in the process.
Colin Graves, Yorkshire’s chairman, expressed optimism about the deal, stating that the revenue generated from the sale of their stake will provide the club with a much-needed injection of around £40 million. This comes at a crucial time for Yorkshire, as the club was facing financial challenges, with debts totaling more than £20 million.
The Superchargers will now be the third T20 franchise team in the Sun Group’s portfolio, joining Sunrisers Hyderabad and Sunrisers Eastern Cape. The Sun Group’s success in the IPL, with a championship win in 2016 and a runner-up finish last year, bodes well for the future of the Superchargers under their ownership.
The team, which has yet to clinch victory in the Hundred competition, is looking to turn the tide with a strong lineup. Led by head coach Andrew Flintoff and captain Harry Brook on the men’s side, and Lisa Keightley taking over as coach for the women’s team, the Superchargers are gearing up for a competitive season. Additionally, Mickey Arthur has been appointed as the new director of cricket, bringing a wealth of experience to the team.
In a related development, the GMR Group, co-owners of Delhi Capitals, are also expected to make a move in the Hundred sale by acquiring a stake in Southern Brave. This follows their successful deal to purchase host county Hampshire last year, indicating a growing interest among IPL owners in the Hundred competition.
With the total valuation of the six franchises nearing £800 million, the landscape of the Hundred is evolving rapidly. Teams like Trent Rockets and Southern Brave are still up for grabs, attracting interest from potential investors looking to make their mark in the world of cricket.
As the dust settles on the latest developments in the Hundred sale, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the next chapter in this exciting saga. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story as it unfolds.
Nagraj Gollapudi, news editor at ESPNcricinfo, and Matt Roller, assistant editor, contributed to this report.
