A controlling investment in Hampshire County Cricket Club was purchased by the GMR Group, who are co-owners of Delhi Capitals. franchises in the IPL, Women’s Premier League, and SA20 are owned by the GMR group, in addition to franchises in other Twenty-20 matches.
After Hampshire signed an acquisition agreement with Indian conglomerate GMR Group on Monday, the county championship club announced that Hampshire will become the first English county to be controlled by an overseas franchise. An initial debt reduction and a “phased acquisition” of Hampshire’s parent business have been agreed upon by GMR’s parent company, GGPL.
With a full takeover anticipated in the following two years, GGPL will first purchase a majority interest in Hampshire.
Chairman of Hampshire Sport & Leisure Holdings Group Rod Bransgrove said in a statement, “This is the realisation of a dream for me and, I hope, for all supporters of Hampshire Cricket.”
We selected GMR as our partners after a careful selection process because of their commitment to our mission and shared values. We think it’s the ideal organisation, with the appropriate personnel, to carry on our illustrious history.
As we embrace the globalisation of our wonderful sport, being the first cricket club in England to join an international cricket group will present us with fascinating new options.
According to the announcement, Hampshire’s current executive team will stay in place, with David Mann serving as CEO and Bransgrove serving as chairman until at least September 30, 2026.
The Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women’s Premier League (WPL), the Dubai Capitals in the International League Twenty-20 (ILT20), and the Pretoria Capitals in the South Africa 20 (SA20) are among the Twenty-20 league clubs owned by the GMR group.
