Hampshire finalise county takeover by GMR Group
By Connor Steel
HAMPSHIRE CRICKET have announced that they have signed a deal with Delhi Capitals ‘co-owners’ the GMR Group to finalise a formal takeover of the County Championship side; thus ending twelve months of very intense negotiations between these two parties and ensuring that this club is the first English county to be owned by an overseas franchise.
This new deal was outlined in a statement on Monday morning (September 30) and has been ratified by the English & Wales Cricket Board (ECB); the parties signing a “phrased acquisition”. It means that the GMR will take the immediate majority stake with immediate effect and are aiming to secure the 100% takeover across two years until summer 2026.
Discussions first began in late 2023 and GMR Group were the big favourites to secure a deal; particularly as they have either wholly or jointly-owned Indian Premier League side Capitals since this competition started in 2008. It is crucial to stress the deal does not relate to the Hundred competition or their Southampton-based Southern Brave franchise at all.
The existing leadership team will remain in place under their new ownership structures; the legendary Rod Bransgrove continuing the job as group Chairman until at least September 2026 with David Mann as group Chief Executive Officer. The former outlined that the deal was “a fulfilment of a dream for me and, I hope, for all Hampshire Cricket supporters.”
He arrived at the club in 2000 and slowly moved it away from the brink of bankruptcy; whilst the investments helped re-locate from Northlands Road in Southampton after 116 years at the ground. The Utilita Bowl became their new stadium and has built its reputation within international cricket, which saw it awarded a first Ashes Test due in the 2027 summer.
The club have further won a series of trophies during this ownership of Bransgrove including three Vitality Blast titles in 2010, 2012 and 2022. These are joined by four “List A” trophies (2005, 2009, 2012, 2018) and a County Championship Division Two title in 2014 whilst this team has further challenged for Division One and finished in second this campaign.
Readers may read the full announcement from the county via this online link; which includes additional comments from Eastleigh Borough Council, the English & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and other parties involved in the new agreement.
PICTURED BY ALAMY ( 2Y36E67): An aerial drone view of an empty and sunny Utilita Bowl taken early in September.