England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has made headlines by investing in the Birmingham Phoenix cricket team. He has acquired a 1.2% stake in the franchise, which is part of The Hundred cricket competition.
Investment Details
The Birmingham Phoenix team, based in Edgbaston, was among the eight franchises that were put up for sale last year. American investment group Knighthead Capital Management secured a 49% stake in the team for £40 million, which included a significant investment in various sports projects.
Stake Distribution
- Bellingham purchased 0.6% from both Knighthead and Warwickshire County Cricket Club.
- This brings Warwickshire’s control to 50.4% after the deal.
- The total value of Bellingham’s investment is close to £1 million.
Confirmation of this deal is expected on Wednesday. At just 22 years old, Bellingham’s passion for cricket is well-known. He previously played junior cricket for Hagley Cricket Club located in Worcestershire.
Personal Insights
In a recent interview, Bellingham expressed admiration for England Test captain Ben Stokes. He noted Stokes as a sportsman with whom he would love to swap places. Additionally, the Knighthead investment group, which includes Bellingham’s former club Birmingham City, features NFL legend Tom Brady as part of its portfolio.
This investment signifies a growing trend of athletes diversifying their portfolios into various sports, promoting the value of cross-sport engagement.
