Knight Riders Group (KRG), the ownership entity behind the Indian Premier League’s Kolkata Knight Riders, has indicated it would consider purchasing a stake in a franchise should The Hundred expand, according to reporting from BBC Sport.
KRG participated in bidding when the ECB auctioned stakes in the competition’s eight franchises last year. The group had pursued an opportunity with Trent Rockets, which ultimately sold a 49% stake to Cain International—an investment firm founded by Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly and British businessman Jonathan Goldstein—for just under £40m. KRG opted not to advance its bid for that franchise, as senior officials assessed it as somewhat overvalued.
Should The Hundred expand from eight to ten franchises, however, KRG would reconsider involvement. Such interest would position the ECB with an additional major bidder having IPL connections during any expansion process. Previous speculation has centered on Durham and a south west England location, potentially Bristol or Taunton, as bases for two additional franchises.
Expansion of The Hundred is not anticipated before the end of the current media rights period, which concludes at the end of 2028. Nonetheless, adding two teams and additional fixtures could boost the value of the subsequent broadcast agreement, with expansion potentially occurring from 2029 onward.
KRG maintains one of the most expansive portfolios in global franchise cricket, holding ownership interests in franchises across India, the Caribbean, the UAE and the United States. Several existing Hundred franchises—Sunrisers Leeds, Manchester Super Giants, MI London and Southern Brave—are already owned or partially owned by groups with IPL connections.
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