Jude Bellingham purchased a minority share in the cricket team Birmingham Phoenix. The England international, who currently plays for Real Madrid, took a 1 percent stake in the franchise. This move follows the recent privatisation process of The Hundred by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Bellingham began his football career at Birmingham City and previously stated his desire to support his home city. The midfielder is one of several high-profile sports figures to invest in the competition. The franchise represents the West Midlands region in the professional 100-ball cricket league, according to The Guardian.
Eighty percent of the team remains under the control of the England and Wales Cricket Board. The remaining share was made available to private investors earlier this year, per Sky Sports. Phoenix play their home matches at Edgbaston Stadium. Bellingham becomes the first active England footballer to hold a direct ownership stake in a major domestic cricket franchise.
