Jude Bellingham Buys £1M Stake in Birmingham Cricket Team

When you become a global football superstar, you don't have to look back at where you came from. But Jude Bellingham can't help himself.

The 22-year-old England midfielder just bought a 1.2% stake in Birmingham Phoenix, investing close to £1 million in the city's cricket team. For Bellingham, who grew up just outside Birmingham in Stourbridge, it's not about the returns.

"I feel like I owe the city something," Bellingham told reporters. "I'm very grateful for what the whole city of Birmingham has done for me."

Bellingham's journey started at Birmingham City Football Club, where he rose through the youth ranks before joining Borussia Dortmund. The club loved him so much they retired his number 22 shirt. Now he plays for Real Madrid, where he won the Champions League in 2024, and has earned 46 caps for England.

But football isn't his only passion. Bellingham grew up playing junior cricket at Hagley Cricket Club in Worcestershire, and he's stayed a fan of the sport. When the opportunity came to invest in Birmingham Phoenix, based at Edgbaston, he jumped at it.

"I love cricket as well, so when I got the opportunity to get involved I didn't really think twice about it," he said. His investment came from stakes held by both Warwickshire County Cricket Club and American investment group Knighthead Capital Management, which also owns his former club Birmingham City.

The Ripple Effect

Bellingham sees this as more than just a business deal. He wants his investment to open doors for young people in Birmingham who might not otherwise have access to sports opportunities.

"I was fortunate growing up I had the option of playing cricket and playing football, but some kids don't have that opportunity," he explained. "It's important that if I can get involved in something like this to shine a light on an opportunity for kids, then even better."

The timing couldn't be better for Birmingham Phoenix, which was among eight Hundred franchises put up for sale last year. Knighthead bought a 49% stake for £40 million, with Warwickshire retaining 51%. Bellingham's 1.2% comes equally from both parties.

And he's in good company. Legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady is also part of the Knighthead group, making Birmingham Phoenix a magnet for sports superstars who believe in giving back.

When asked last year which sportsperson he'd swap places with, Bellingham named England Test captain Ben Stokes. Now he gets to be part of the cricket world he's always admired.

Birmingham just got a powerful reminder that success doesn't mean forgetting where you started.