The ECB has appointed Vikram Banerjee as managing director of the Hundred to enhance its global growth. Promoted from director of business operations, he previously led Project Gemini, which valued the tournament’s teams at £975 million. Banerjee will finalize joint-venture agreements between investors and host counties, focusing on increasing overseas broadcast rights, currently valued at £2 million. With new investors having media interests in India and the US, the ECB’s CEO, Richard Gould, expressed confidence in Banerjee’s ability to elevate the competition. Banerjee aims to attract more global partnerships, improve fan experiences, and grow the sport.
Banerjee, who was previously the director of business operations, has been promoted after successfully overseeing Project Gemini, the Hundred’s private investment initiative that valued the eight teams at a total of £975 million.
His responsibilities include finalizing new joint-venture agreements between investors and host counties, as well as working to “ensure alignment and deliver on the strategic growth” of the Hundred, as stated by the ECB on Thursday.
A significant aspect of the Hundred’s appeal to potential investors was the anticipated substantial rise in the value of its overseas broadcast rights, which are currently assessed at just £2 million. The ECB indicated that Banerjee’s role would be pivotal in “accelerating the competition’s global growth.”
Many new investors in the teams have connections to media organizations in India and the United States. “The overseas market is very important to us,” said Richard Gould, the ECB’s chief executive, earlier this month. “The diversity of our investors from around the world will, I believe, enhance the value of our overseas broadcast rights.”
In a statement on Thursday, Gould remarked: “Vikram has excellently led the initiative to attract new partners into the competition, making him the ideal candidate to finalize these deals and collaborate with the teams and investors to elevate the Hundred in the coming years.”
“This achievement is a testament to the hard work of many within the ECB and the broader cricket community, showing the strong interest from partners eager to engage with the Hundred.”
Rob Hillman, the ECB’s director of major events, will continue to oversee the Hundred’s operations and execution, while Banerjee will serve as a “strategic lead” concentrating on the tournament’s commercialization and future growth. This year, the ECB plans to establish a standalone Hundred committee that includes representatives from the eight franchises, board non-executives, and independent directors.
Banerjee expressed his excitement, stating: “I am thrilled to assume this new role, driving the competition forward and building upon its existing success while collaborating with a fresh set of partners who bring a remarkable range of skills and expertise from the best in global sports and industry.”
“I am eager to finalize these agreements and start working together to expand the Hundred, allowing fans to enjoy even more of the world’s finest players, creating thrilling cricket experiences, and attracting new cricket fans both at home and abroad. I am incredibly enthusiastic about the future potential of the Hundred and the positive impact it can have on our entire game.”
The Hundred is scheduled to take place from August 5-31 this year, with teams finalizing their player retentions earlier this week ahead of the draft on March 12.