Deal for English county confirmed after former majority owner Rod Bransgrove sells stake
Aerial view of the Utilita Bowl, Southampton • Getty Images
Hampshire will become the first English county to have overseas ownership after the club’s parent company agreed the sale of a majority stake to GMR Group, an Indian infrastructure conglomerate that owns teams in various T20 leagues, including the Delhi Capitals in IPL.
ESPNcricinfo understands that GMR Group’s parent company, GGPL, will initially hold a 53% stake in Hampshire Sport & Leisure Holdings Ltd, Hampshire’s parent company, with a completed 100% acquisition expected within the next 24 months. That process is expected to involve GMR’s acquisition of Hampshire’s 51% share in Southern Brave, with the ECB set to finalise the equity sale of the eight-team tournament in the coming weeks.
The deal makes GMR Group the majority shareholder in the club, after Hampshire’s former chairman, Rob Bransgrove decided to sell his 60% stake in the company. Bransgrove will, however, continue as Group Chairman until at least September 30, 2026, with David Mann retaining his role as Group CEO.
While its business focus has been in the infrastructure business, GMR Group made its first major sporting investment in 2008 when it bought Delhi Daredevils. In 2018, GMR sold a 50% ownership stake in the Delhi franchise to Jindal South West (JSW), fellow Indian business heavyweight. In cricket, the GMR group also owns Dubai Capitals franchise in ILT20 and has a stake in Seattle Orcas in MLC.
The potential for overseas investment in Hampshire derives from Bransgrove’s original bail-out of the county in 2000, when he secured the club’s move from its 116-year home at Northlands Road in Southampton to the Utilita Bowl, on the outskirts of the city.
In so doing, he converted Hampshire from a members-owned club to what was then known as Rose Bowl PLC, and oversaw the building and development of the venue – which now includes the Hilton hotel and Boundary Lakes Golf Course, with plans for more additions currently under consideration with Eastleigh Borough Council.
The Utilita Bowl hosted its maiden Test match against Sri Lanka in 2011, while in 2020, its on-site hotel and remote location made it an ideal venue for the ECB’s bio-secure summer during the Covid pandemic in 2020. The ground hosted a total of three Tests against West Indies and Pakistan, and six white-ball matches against Australia and Ireland.
“This is the fulfilment of a dream for me and, I hope, for all Hampshire Cricket supporters,” Bransgrove said in a press release. “Beyond our team’s accomplishments on the field over the past 24 years, we have transformed our stadium into a premier Test Match and events venue and one of the most exceptional cricket and leisure facilities in the country. We have also been pioneers in the development of women’s cricket and have consistently innovated throughout this relatively short history.
“After a thorough selection process, we chose GGPL as our partners due to their shared values and commitment to our vision. We believe GGPL is the perfect organization, with the right people, to build on our proud legacy. Becoming the first English cricket club to join an international cricket group will open exciting new opportunities as we embrace the globalization of this great sport.”
In 2021, Hampshire also hosted the inaugural World Test Championship final between Australia and India, again with Covid restrictions, while in 2027, it is due to host its maiden Ashes Test.
The deal reportedly hit a snag earlier this month, when the ECB threatened to strip Hampshire of their Hundred equity share unless GMR paid a fair market rate for Southern Brave, but the phased sale appears to have met the board’s conditions.
Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: “This is an exciting time for Hampshire Cricket, and I’d like to welcome GGPL to cricket in England and Wales. I am pleased to see their commitment to continuing to develop Hampshire’s cricket teams and pathways and enhance facilities at Utilita Bowl, and their respect for the traditions of the game in this country. This announcement also demonstrates the global interest in investing in cricket in England and Wales, and underlines the continuing appeal of county cricket.
“I’d like to thank Rod Bransgrove for all he has done in transforming Hampshire and creating a world-class stadium, and look forward to continuing to work together in his role as Group Chair.”
Grandhi Kiran Kumar, Corporate Chairman of GMR Group, added: “With this acquisition, along with our investments in the US, Dubai, and India, GMR is 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 transform sports into a platform that unites people and cultures, drives global excellence, and nurtures the creation of future world champions.”
