MCC Names New President As The Hundred Influence Grows Bigger On England Cricket

The ECB logo and The Hundred Trophy [Source: Official X handles of ECB and The Hundred]

Just after privatisation and investor calls of The Hundred from the England and Wales Cricket Board, London Spirit chair Julian Metherell has been appointed as the MCC club’s next president.

While the Marylebone Cricket Club is not directly linked with the ECB directly, Julian, who has expertise in finance and have also led MCC's negotiations in last year's Hundred equity sale, indicates the potential sentiment of English Cricket regarding The Hundred.

Who is The New MCC President Julian Metherell?

Julian will succeed Ed Smith in October 2026, stepping into the role at a transformative moment when MCC has become a direct owner of a professional franchise, London Spirit.

Metherell brings a deep financial background and a lifelong bond with the sport. An MCC member for 40 years, he spent more than a decade at Goldman Sachs, serving as CEO of UK investment banking from 2006 to 2011.

He later founded and became CFO of Genel Energy, and his portfolio spans energy and shipping. Cricket runs through his CV too. Julian chaired the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) from 2019 to 2024 and also chairs the Advisory Board of Cambridge’s Judge Business School.

Also Read- Fear Grips England Cricket, Secret Meeting Held

Julian, The Architect of the Hundred’s Richest Franchise

The rise of Metherell is directly tied to the massive equity sale that reshaped England cricket. In 2025, he oversaw MCC’s negotiations that resulted in a Silicon Valley consortium, fronted by Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora, buying a 49% stake in London Spirit for approximately £145 million.

That deal made the London Spirit the most valuable team in The Hundred. Soon after, when the franchise officially transferred from the ECB to its new owners on October 1, 2025, Metherell was installed as the club’s chair.

His nomination as MCC president, made by outgoing president Ed Smith, signals how central London Spirit has become to the club’s future direction. Even the team’s rebranded logo now includes MCC’s iconic egg-and-bacon colours alongside the familiar royal blue.

“I am deeply honoured to take on the role of MCC President, following in the footsteps of many of my cricketing idols. I have a long connection with MCC and I have many cherished memories at Lord’s. This is a really exciting time to be involved with MCC, especially as it starts a new era of ownership of a professional cricket team and I am looking forward to driving forward both the Club and London Spirit,” Metherell said.

A Windfall That Has Not Calmed Every Fear

While Metherell’s stewardship put London Spirit at the financial summit, the wider Hundred sale has not banked security for all.

The £500 million generated by selling stakes across the eight franchises gave each of the 11 non-host counties a share of around £25 million.

Yet a recent secret meeting of The Hundred franchises at Northamptonshire’s County Ground, held without the ECB’s knowledge, revealed deep unease. Nine of those non-host counties gathered because they fear widening inequality.

Rising costs, the threat of top players migrating to richer host counties, and uncertainty over the next broadcasting deal after 2028 are feeding a sense of crisis.

What’s Next For The MCC President?

Metherell now inherits an MCC presidency that sits squarely inside that divided landscape. Lord’s will stage the Ashes in 2027, and London Spirit will be the crown jewel of a competition that has enriched a few while leaving others worried about survival.

Julian’s task will be to balance the club’s heritage with the reality of a professional game where financial muscle increasingly decides the contest.

Also Read- IPL 2026 Playoff Schedule Revealed; These Dates Booked