A significant development in the history of cricket has occurred with the acquisition of Hampshire Cricket by GMR Group, co-owners of the Delhi Capitals team in the Indian Premier League (IPL). This sets a new standard for the sport of cricket as it is the first time an international firm has purchased a county team.
The business, which is owned by Kiran Kumar Granthi, has a deal in place to buy all of Hampshire Sport & Leisure Holdings Limited (HSLHL), which is Hampshire Cricket’s parent company. The transaction will be finished over the course of the following 24 months, according to the group.
One of the 18 First-class counties associated with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is Hampshire Cricket, which was established in 1863. However, the acquisition won’t immediately affect the ECB’s proposed privatization of The Hundred. However, with GMR owning the majority interest, the Indian company will also have the influence of Hampshire’s Southern Brave team in The Hundred.
Around 100%, the acquisition is valued at around 45 million pounds or roughly Rs 450–500 crore. GMR is purchasing 53% of the shares for 23 million pounds, or roughly Rs 230–300 crore, at this time, and the remaining 47% over the following two years. That seems to involve a few incentives, and it will depend on whether Hampshire meets the deliverables that were agreed upon.
Both the vast golf course next to it and the Hampshire ground, Utilita Bowl, formerly known as Rose Bowl, will now be owned by GMR. The Indian business will also own the Hilton Hotel, which is located on one side of the property, but the land that GMR will acquire will be its primary benefit.
The real estate industry has demonstrated that the value of this land would only increase with time. According to a statement, the parties formally agreed upon the main terms and conditions of this agreement a year ago, with the enterprise value being set at a fair market assessment.
The current Hampshire leadership group will not be replaced. David Mann will remain Group CEO, and Rod Bransgrove will serve as Group Chairman until at least September 2026. They will collaborate with GMR to create short-, medium–, and long-term plans for the club’s and its operations’ steady expansion.
“We are thrilled to welcome Hampshire Cricket into the GMR family. This acquisition is a testament to our commitment to global sports and our belief in the power of cricket to unite people. We look forward to working with the Hampshire team to create a sustainable and successful future for the club,” Granthi said.
Bransgrove termed the deal as fulfilment of a dream. “This is the fulfilment of a dream for me and, I hope, for all Hampshire Cricket supporters. 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 our relatively short history.”
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