The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has appointed Vikram Banerjee as the Managing Director of The Hundred, tasking him with accelerating the tournament’s global growth. This promotion from Director of Business Operations comes after Banerjee successfully managed Project Gemini, which valued the eight teams at £975 million.
Banerjee’s immediate priorities include finalizing joint-venture agreements with investors and host counties. He will then focus on strategically growing The Hundred, as stated by the ECB on Thursday.
A significant factor in attracting investors was the projected increase in the value of overseas broadcast rights, currently at £2 million. Banerjee’s new role is specifically designed to enhance the competition’s international reach.
Richard Gould, the ECB’s chief executive, highlighted the importance of the overseas market and believes the diverse group of global investors will enhance the value of these rights.
Gould praised Banerjee for his leadership in attracting partners and expressed confidence in his ability to elevate The Hundred. He acknowledged the collective effort within the ECB and the cricket network that has led to the tournament’s success and investor interest.
While Banerjee will focus on strategy and commercialization, Rob Hillman will continue as Director of Major Events, overseeing operations. The ECB plans to establish a dedicated Hundred committee with representatives from franchises, board members, and independent directors.
Banerjee expressed his enthusiasm for his new role and the opportunity to collaborate with new partners to build upon the tournament’s achievements. He aims to enhance fan experiences, attract top global players, and expand the Hundred’s fanbase both domestically and internationally. He is optimistic about the positive impact The Hundred can have on cricket.
The Hundred is scheduled for August 5-31 this year. Teams recently finalized player retentions in anticipation of the draft on March 12.
