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England has acquired a 1.2% ownership stake in Birmingham Phoenix through Jude Bellingham who plays for Real Madrid.  The news will be confirmed by Warwickshire County Cricket Club, while The Cricketer reports have confirmed the information. 

The England and Wales Cricket Board mandated all eight Hundred teams to divest 49% of their ownership to private investors while retaining 51% of their control. The counties were permitted to sell their entire 51% ownership stake if they decided to do so. 

Warwickshire sold its 49% share in Birmingham Phoenix to Knighthead Capital, which also owns Birmingham City, a team playing in England's second division. Jude Bellingham comes from Birmingham and grew up there after being born in Stourbridge which is located outside the city. 

Bellingham played his first sport as a teenager when he joined Hagley Cricket Club before turning his focus to professional football. He began his football career with Birmingham City when he reached the age of 16.

Warwickshire’s recent annual report revealed that it sold about 1.2% shares in Birmingham Phoenix to an investor in January 2026. The county confirmed that it sold 0.6% of its own stock holdings. 

Bellingham acquired his 0.6% stake because he purchased shares from both Warwickshire and Knighthead Capital. After the deal Warwickshire holds 50.4% of Birmingham Phoenix while Knighthead controls 48.4% of the company.

According to the same report Bellingham's 1.2% stake was estimated to be worth approximately £1 million which equals about ₹12.66 crores. Warwickshire considered the valuation to be "fair" because Knighthead had previously invested in the company. The county's original 51% stake in Birmingham Phoenix had an estimated value of approximately £48 million which equals about ₹607.67 crores.

Birmingham Phoenix which Bellingham co-owns has failed to secure any men's or women's championships during its five seasons in The Hundred. Jacob Bethell will lead the men's team as captain while Ellyse Perry will serve as women's team captain for the 2026 season.

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Scott Currie became Phoenix’s most expensive buy at the 2026 Hundred auction, with the franchise paying £210,000 (approx. ₹2.66 crores). The team also signed Pakistani spinner Usman Tariq for £140,000 (approx. ₹1.77 crores).

The team made their biggest female acquisition when they signed Linsey Smith, a left-arm spinner who won the Women's Premier League with Royal Challengers Bangalore. Phoenix signed her for £100,000 (approx. ₹1.27 crores).