Hampshire Cricket ‘agrees £120m takeover’ by Delhi Capitals owner

Delhi Capitals co-owner the GMR Group has agreed to purchase the majority share in Hampshire County Cricket Club (CCC), according to multiple reports in the UK and India.

The bid reportedly values Hampshire Cricket at £120m and includes its debts of around £60m.

If the takeover goes through, GMR would become the first overseas owner of an English county club.

GMR, which owns 50% of the Capitals’ IPL and WPL franchises, will also reportedly acquire a 49% stake in the Club’s Hundred outfit, the Southern Brave, with an option to take full ownership of the team in the future.

The Telegraph reports that fellow IPL team the Lucknow Super Giants also submitted an offer to buy the club.

According to the Economic Times of India, GMR will acquire Hampshire’s 25,000-seat Rose Bowl home, as well as the venue’s Hilton hotel and golf course.

Any prospective takeover agreement will be subject to approval from the ECB.

Hampshire’s incumbent owner, Rod Bransgrove, bought the club in 2000, but stepped down from the role of Chairman last year, after 23 years in the position.

Elsewhere, Yorkshire County Cricket Club (CCC) is reportedly in talks with the IPL’s Rajasthan Royals over a potential takeover, although this would need to be approved by Yorkshire members.

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