Each bid now enters an exclusivity process and if concluded will result in £520m of investment filtering into leagues governed by the ECB.

Chelsea part-owner Todd Boehly is looking to buy a slice of another English sports team — this time in cricket. Cain International, a company co-funded by the American businessman, is paying 40 million pounds ($50 million) for 49% of Trent Rockets,

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly’s Cain International group and fellow investors Ares Management Credit are an “ideal fit” for Trent Rockets, according to Nottinghamshire chair Andy Hunt. Rockets, who are based at Nottinghamshire’s Trent Bridge,

Todd Boehly, the chairman and co-owner of Chelsea, has bought a 49 per cent stake in The Hundred franchise Trent Rockets. The investment values Nottingham-based Rockets — which encompass the English county clubs of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — at around £79million ($97.73m).