England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has made a significant investment in cricket, acquiring a 1.2% stake in The Hundred franchise Birmingham Phoenix for nearly £1 million.
Bellingham, 22, purchased 0.6% from both Knighthead Capital Management—the American investment group that owns his former football club Birmingham City—and Warwickshire County Cricket Club. Knighthead had previously acquired a 49% stake in the franchise for £40 million last year, while Warwickshire retained majority control with 51%. Following Bellingham's investment, Warwickshire now holds 50.4% of the team.
"I'm excited to be part of Birmingham Phoenix's journey," Bellingham said in a statement. "Cricket has always been a passion of mine, and this feels like a natural way to support the sport in my home region."
The football star has deep cricket roots, having played junior cricket for Hagley Cricket Club in Worcestershire. In a previous interview, when asked which sportsperson he would swap places with, Bellingham named England Test captain Ben Stokes.
The investment represents a growing trend of cross-sport ownership, with Knighthead's ownership group also including legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady. The deal is set to be officially confirmed on Wednesday, marking Bellingham's first major foray into sports ownership beyond his playing career.