Glamorgan and Washington Freedom purchase of Welsh Fire completed
Glamorgan and Washington Freedom purchase of Welsh Fire completed
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Glamorgan CCC and Washington Freedom have confirmed that The Hundred franchise Welsh Fire is now under joint ownership of the two clubs.
Freedom are owned by Indian-American IT entrepreneur Sanjay Govil and tabled the winning bid for a 49% share of the Fire back in January 2025.
It was widely reported at the time that the winning bid was worth £40 million, putting the franchise’s overall value at twice that.
Glamorgan have relinquished the 1% remaining, meaning that the two parties have a 50/50 split of Welsh Fire.
Freedom’s owners beat off interest from Capri International, which owns UP Warriorz in India’s Women’s Premier League and Sharjah Warriors in the UAE’s International League T20.
Wrexham Football Club’s Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny were among those who were interested in acquiring a stake in Fire.
However, the pair did not enter the formal bidding process following their initial contact last year.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) sold off their stakes in The Hundred teams this year, but retain full control of the overall competition.
On the pitch, Welsh Fire had a good 2024 season. The men’s side’s performances improved markedly from their lows of the year previous, while the women reached the final, having topping the table, but fell at the final hurdle against London Spirit.
Speaking on the deal completion, Mark Rhydderch-Roberts, Chair of Glamorgan Cricket Club, said, “When we embarked on the journey to secure long-term investment through The Hundred and the Welsh Fire franchise, we had a clear vision to elevate cricket in Wales to a level that reflects not just its potential but its identity. Today, I’m proud to say that we’ve done exactly that, and more. Our ambition for Welsh Fire is open ended.
“This investment has given us the means to back our ambitions with action. But more than that, it has shown what Welsh cricket is capable of when it’s bold, confident and proud of its unique voice. Cricket in Wales has a new chapter, and this time, it’s one we get to write on our terms.”
Sanjay Govil, Washington Freedom owner and principal Welsh Fire investor said, “We’re incredibly excited to announce our investment in Welsh Fire, a team with tremendous potential within The Hundred, one of the world’s premier cricket leagues.
“We’ve identified significant synergies between our organisations and look forward to sharing our expertise and learning from Welsh Fire’s established strengths.
“Our commitment has always been to foster an unparalleled environment for players and their families, rooted in a positive team culture. We’re eager to bring this philosophy to Welsh Fire and help elevate them to new heights.”
Dan Cherry, Glamorgan CEO added, “Cricket in Wales is entering a transformative chapter. And with the Washington Freedom partnership now secured for Welsh Fire, we’re facing an opportunity unlike anything we’ve seen.
“At Glamorgan we are custodians of a rich and proud tradition. But our eyes are also fixed firmly on the future. We are part of a rapidly evolving sport, one that is becoming increasingly global and dynamic to captivate new and diverse audiences.
“Cricket has a global platform now. Wales deserves its place on it. And at Glamorgan, we are ready to rise to the moment.”
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