Hampshire are in “superior” talks with Delhi Capitals’ co-owners the GMR Group over a takeover of the County Championship membership, BBC Sport understands.
Some nationwide newspaper studies have advised a £120m cope with GMR – which has wholly or joint-owned Indian Premier League aspect Capitals for the reason that IPL’s inception in 2008 – has already been reached.
BBC Radio Solent understands, nonetheless, that no contract has but been signed – however that Hampshire stay near reaching an settlement with the group.
A supply at Hampshire instructed BBC Radio Solent the deal could possibly be accomplished inside weeks and that talks have been in a sophisticated stage for fairly a while.
Ought to the deal be accomplished, it will make Hampshire the primary county to be owned by an abroad franchise. The acquisition should be ratified by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Hampshire Cricket’s majority shareholder is Rod Bransgrove – who arrived in 2000 when the membership stood getting ready to chapter.
Bransgrove’s funding helped Hampshire transfer from their 116-year house at Northlands Highway in Southampton, to the Utilita Bowl on the sting of the town, and he has overseen a profitable period on the membership.
In 2023, it was introduced that the businessman would be standing down as chairman after 23 years in that place.
That information got here after it was revealed Hampshire would host an Ashes Check in 2027 – a long-term purpose for Bransgrove.