Mumbai Indians eyeing a stake in Hundred

IPL franchise Mumbai Indians are keen on buying a stake in Hundred team London Spirit, according to a report in The Guardian.

The report says that IPL teams, even with a minority stake in the Hundred, will be looking to change existing names of franchises and align them to their branding in India. With the ECB keen on getting money from India, the IPL teams would be able to make key decisions despite not having a controlling stake.

The Guardian reports that the Mumbai Indians, owned by the Ambani family in India, are keen on buying a stake in the London Spirit team, and rebrand it to MI London. Following the conclusion of the current season of the Hundred, the ECB are set to sell 49 per cent of the eight teams in September. The ECB could earn as much as £400m from it, and the London-based franchise will have a major role to play in it.

“All the IPL owners are saying they will bid, but they will want some control for their cash,” a source told the Guardian. “It’s essentially a big brand play for the IPL so we expect them to push for name changes, which will depend on the amount they have invested.”

The Mumbai Indians family already has teams in SA20 (MI Cape Town), Major League Cricket (MI New York), International League T20 (MI Emirates). The joint-most successful team in the IPL, the Mumbai Indians enjoy a massive fanbase in India, could be looking to widen their reach in other leagues around the world. They also have a team in the Women's Premier League.

Among the other IPL teams interested are Rajasthan Royals, eyeing Northern Superchargers, and Delhi Capitals are keen on buying a stake in Southern Brave.

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