Jude Bellingham buys stake in Birmingham Phoenix: Real Madrid star enters cricket

Jude Bellingham has acquired a 1.2% stake in the Hundred franchise Birmingham Phoenix.

The Edgbaston based team was one of eight teams put up for sale last year. Knighthead Capital Management, owner of Birmingham City, bought a 49% stake for £40 million, while Warwickshire County Cricket Club retained 51%.

Bellingham has acquired 0.6% of each lot, giving Warwickshire a majority stake of 50.4%. The deal, worth almost £1 million, is expected to be confirmed on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old, who plays for Real Madrid and the England national football team, is an avid cricket follower and played junior cricket for Hagley Cricket Club.

Last year Bellingham said in an interview that he would prefer to swap careers with Ben Stokes.

Seven-time NFL champion Tom Brady is also part of the Knighthead group.

Published on April 22, 2026