London Spirit to keep name after tech investment

London Spirit will retain their current name in future seasons of The Hundred following investment from an American consortium.

The ‘Tech Titans’ are one of the eight new investors into a Hundred franchise and take operational control at the Lord’s-based team in October in partnership with the Marylebone Cricket Club.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has already received applications to change some other team names with some likely to be brought in line with investors’ teams in other franchise leagues.

Spirit chairman Julian Metherell said retaining the name “reflects our belief in the identity that’s been built – one that resonates with the capital, our fans, and our values”.

The MCC and the Tech Titans have been in discussions about the team name and branding since winning the bid to buy 49% of Spirit in January – a deal which valued the franchise at £295m.

A final decision on whether to keep the club’s current blue and black kit will be made prior to the 2026 season. There have been suggestions a change to match the MCC’s famous red and yellow colours could be made.

Spirit have also named former England performance director Mo Bobat as the franchise’s new director of cricket.

Bobat, who will start in his new role from 1 October and continue to work in other T20 leagues, has been director of cricket at Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League since early 2024.

RCB won their first IPL title earlier this year.