The GMR Group, co-owners of the IPL franchise Delhi Capitals, on Monday completed an agreement with Hampshire to buy a majority stake in the English county club. (More Cricket News)
Initially, the GMR Group will hold a 53 per ce🏅nt stake in Hampshire, ꧑thereby making it the first county team to have overseas ownership.
In a phased manner through the next 24 months, the Indian conglomerate will acquire a 100 per cent stake.
“Hampshire Sport & Leisure Holdings Limited, owner of the Utilita Bowl site and Hampshire Cricket, has signℱed and exchanged definitive agr🗹eements with GMR Global Pte Ltd (GGPL), marking the start of a significant strategic partnership,” the club said in a statement in its website.
“As part of the agreemenཧt, GGPL will initially acquire a majority stake in Hampshire Sport &; Le🍬isure Holdings Limited, with the completed acquisition of 100% ownership expected within the next 24 months,” the statement added.
Kirankumar Granthi, Corporate ✤Chairman of the GMR Group, said his aim will be to cultivate “value creation” and provide o𒁏pportunities to budding talents.
“With this acquisition, along with our investments in the US, Dubai, and India, GMR ওis focused on engaging and connecting with the global youth. We are committed to financial prudence, value creation, and creating opportunities for young talent.
“Our vision is to transfo𝔍ཧrm sports into a platform that unites people and cultures, drives global excellence, and nurtures the creation of future world champions,” said Granthi.
Currently, GMR holds a 50 per cent stake in the Delhi Capitals (IPL and WPL), the Dubai Capitals🥀 (I꧒LT20) and the Pretoria Capitals (SA20).
Add𒆙itionally, the GMR group has invested in the Seattle Orcas in the Major League Cricket, USA.
Under the new ownership structure, Hampshire’s existing leader🃏ship team will remain ♏in place.
Rod Bransgrove will conౠtinue as Group Chairman until at least September 30, 2026, and David Mann will retain his 🃏role as the Group CEO.
"This is the fulfilment of a dream for me and, I hope, for all Hampshire Cricket supporters. After a thorough selection process, 𓂃we chose GGPL (the parent company of GMR) as our partners due to their shared values and commitment to our vision.
“Becoming the first English cricket club to join an international cricket group will open exciting new opportunities as we emb🍷race the globalization of this great sport,” said Bransgrove.
Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer🔯, welcomed the acquisition.
“This is an exciting time for Hampshire Cricket. I am pleased to see GGPL’s commitment to continuing to develop Hampshire’s cricket teams and pathways and enhance facilities at Utilita Bowl, and their respect for the t🔯raditions of the game in this country.
“This announcement also demonstrates the global i🍸nterest in investing in cricket in England and Wales, and underlines the continuing appeal of county cricket,” said Gould.
