Latham Appointed by the England & Wales Cricket Board as It Seeks Private Investment Into Teams in the Hundred

Latham & Watkins has been appointed legal co-counsel by The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as part of the advisory team who will support the game’s efforts to attract private investment into the eight teams in The Hundred. Latham will work alongside Onside Law LLP in this capacity. The Raine Group and Deloitte have been appointed as financial advisors.

Entering its fourth season, The Hundred has brought new fans into cricket, attracted more women and children, brought significant revenue into the game, and given young home-grown cricketers experience of performing on the biggest stage. The ambition is to seek partners with the expertise to help take the competition to the next level, while ensuring any investment benefits the whole of the game.

ECB Director of Business Operations Vikram Banerjee, who is leading the process on behalf of ECB and the wider game, said: “We are delighted to have appointed an advisory team with the experience, nous and ability to ensure any deals that are brokered are the right ones for the sport. The Raine Group, Deloitte, Latham & Watkins, and Onside Law LLP will be valuable partners and advisors as we take this step forward as a game.”

Latham has been at the forefront of major sports transactions, including advising on the sale of Manchester United and Dorna (MotoGP), and the acquisitions of Chelsea FC and a minority stake in Liverpool FC. The firm regularly advises on investments, strategic partnerships, commercial agreements, and regulatory issues across global sport, including in football, rugby, motorsport, fight sports, tennis, and the major US sports.

The Latham team is led by Entertainment, Sports & Media Practice counsel Rachael Astin, corporate partner Farah O’Brien, and Entertainment, Sports & Media Practice partner Patrick Mitchell.