Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has made a surprising venture into English cricket, acquiring a 49 percent stake in the Trent Rockets franchise through his company Cain International, co-founded with Chelsea director Jonathan Goldstein.
The deal, valued at approximately £40m ($50m), comes as part of an ongoing auction process overseen by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The Trent Rockets, winners of The Hundred title in 2022 and home to former England captain Joe Root, carry a total valuation of £80 million ($99m).
While Boehly's investment secures significant influence in the team's major decisions, Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club will maintain control with a 51 percent ownership stake. The acquisition follows a pattern of wealthy investors showing interest in The Hundred franchises, with Boehly himself having previously expressed interest in both the London Spirit and Oval Invincibles, though unsuccessful in those bids according to The Telegraph.
This move into cricket represents another significant sporting investment for Boehly, who has already made headlines with his involvement in Chelsea Football Club. Since leading the takeover at Stamford Bridge in May 2022, Boehly's regime has invested over £1 billion ($1.2bn) in player transfers, though the club is yet to secure major trophies as a return on this substantial investment.
The acquisition of the Trent Rockets stake marks a notable expansion of Boehly's sports portfolio, bridging the gap between football and cricket in what appears to be a strategic move into England's traditional summer sport.
