**The Hundred Set for Revamp in 2025, with Hollywood Investors in the Mix**

The English Cricket Board (ECB) is gearing up for a reboot of The Hundred, a professional cricket tournament that first took place in 2021. As part of the revamp, the ECB is seeking investors to buy stakes in the eight teams participating in the competition. And, in a surprising twist, Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, owners of Wrexham Football Club, have expressed interest in investing in a Hundred franchise.

Reynolds and McElhenney, who have overseen Wrexham’s back-to-back promotions to League One, are reportedly keen on moving into cricket. They have held talks with the ECB over a potential investment in Welsh Fire, one of the eight franchises in The Hundred. The ECB is looking to sell 49% of each team to private investors, with the aim of attracting American investment to the competition.

The sale of stakes in The Hundred franchises is being handled by the Raine Group, which was involved in Todd Boehly’s takeover of Chelsea in 2022. The Glazers, who own Manchester United, are also said to have a “firm interest” in buying into a Hundred franchise, as reported by The Telegraph. Additionally, Formula One giants Red Bull have been linked with a potential investment in a franchise.

The news of cricket branching out and potentially attracting investors from different sports comes after the ECB admitted they had reached out to NFL owners to try to get them involved. The ECB is looking to tap into the expertise of NFL owners in terms of fan engagement and stadium experience, with the aim of bringing a new level of excitement to The Hundred.

The latest edition of The Hundred is set to start on Tuesday with a double-header between Oval Invincibles and Birmingham Phoenix. Reynolds and McElhenney have been invited to watch matches at this year’s tournament, which could pave the way for their potential investment in a franchise.

With the likes of Reynolds, McElhenney, and the Glazers showing interest in investing in The Hundred, the competition is set to receive a significant boost in terms of investment and exposure. The ECB will be hoping that the involvement of high-profile investors will help to attract new fans to the sport and take The Hundred to the next level.