Tech industry investor circle expands with addition of Chanel CEO Leena Nair in London
Tech Titans Invest in London Spirit and Cricket Growth
A consortium of high-profile investors, known as the Tech Titans, has made significant strides in the world of cricket with their recent acquisition of a stake in the London Spirit franchise. The consortium, led by Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, bought a 49% stake in January 2025, and they now operate in partnership with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), who hold the remaining 51%.
Notable executives from technology giants such as Adobe, Google (Sundar Pichai), and YouTube, as well as Satyan Gajwani from Times Internet, are part of the consortium. New additions include Johann Rupert, the CEO of Swiss luxury good brand Richemont, and Leena Nair, the CEO of Chanel, who becomes the first British woman to take a stake in a Hundred franchise.
The Tech Titans consortium, officially known as Cricket Investor Holdings Limited (CIHL), has grown from an initial 15 investors to about 25 by mid-2025, with potential for more joining in the future. They have been active at Lord’s cricket ground, supporting the team and engaging with players and executives.
The London Spirit has also appointed former England performance director Mo Bobat as director of cricket, signaling the consortium's commitment to developing the franchise on and off the field.
Meanwhile, other changes are afoot in the world of cricket broadcasting. Amazon Prime, Dazn, Disney+, and Premier Sports have bought significant football rights packages, while Sky Sports will broadcast over 1,500 live games this season, including the EFL, Women's Super League, Scottish Premier League, and Women's SPL. TNT Sports will show over 700 games from the Premier League, FA Cup, women's FA Cup, and all three Uefa club competitions.
In a move to bring professional boxing back to Saturday night free-to-air TV, the BBC has secured a deal with Boxxer. This deal comes after Boxxer's exclusive rights agreement with Sky Sports expired in June. The BBC obtained formal written assurances from Boxxer that convicted cricket match-fixer Mazhar Majeed is no longer involved with the company.
As for football, the demotion of Palace to the Conference League may see more of their Premier League games televised. The final number of games shown by Sky Sports will depend on how far English clubs progress in the Europa League and Uefa Conference League. Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace are involved in those competitions, increasing the chances of extra games without an additional rights fee.
The growth of the Tech Titans consortium in cricket and the changes in broadcasting highlight the increasing interest in both sports, as well as the potential for collaboration and innovation.
The Tech Titans consortium, previously invested in London Spirit, has now extended their business ventures into the realm of cricket finance, aiming to stimulate growth in the sport. This expansion also includes partnerships with executives from renowned technology companies like Adobe, Google, YouTube, Richemont, and Chanel.
With the growing influence of the Tech Titans in cricket, it is evident that their involvement signifies a fusion of sports and business interests, potentially paving the way for innovative initiatives in the field.
