Former England fast bowler James Anderson has become Co-owner of Napoli Knights, one of six franchises in the inaugural Italia T10 league, marking a new chapter in his cricket career as both an owner and potentially a player. The 44-year-old has joined forces with former Lancashire teammate Luke Sutton through their sports and entertainment business, Activate Sport & Leisure, with the competition scheduled to begin in Rome on November 18.
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Anderson is also expected to play for and Captain Napoli Knights during the tournament, according to BBC Sport, extending his playing career into a new format and country. The ownership partnership has been officially announced by the franchise, with the league positioning itself as a platform for developing cricket in Italy and attracting international talent.
Anderson and Sutton enter Italian franchise cricket
The Napoli Knights venture brings together two former Lancashire players who are now working together through Activate Sport & Leisure, the company operating the franchise. Sutton, a former wicketkeeper, has previously managed Anderson and built a career in sports management.
Anderson, England’s most successful international fast bowler with 911 wickets across formats, is entering franchise ownership after more than two decades at the highest levels of cricket. In an official statement, Anderson said, “Cricket has given me so much throughout my career, and the opportunity to be involved in the game in a completely different way is something I’m really excited about.”
The former England bowler also addressed the partnership and the new competition, adding, “Luke and I have a close history, so to be taking on this new challenge together is particularly special. The Italia T10 is an exciting concept, and there’s a huge opportunity to help raise the profile of cricket in Italy while bringing together some fantastic players and creating an entertaining tournament.”
Sutton is involved in the franchise through Activate Sport & Leisure. The company is also expected to participate in coaching initiatives associated with the competition. The Napoli Knights Co-Owner said in the press release, “Having spent so much of our lives involved in cricket, Jimmy and I see this as a fantastic opportunity to be part of something new and ambitious, and to help grow the game in an emerging cricket nation.”
Italia T10 brings franchise cricket to Rome
The inaugural Italia T10 will take place from November 18 to 29 at the Roma Cricket Ground, featuring franchises representing Naples, Rome, Venice, Milan, Bologna and Florence. The competition will use the 10-over format and bring together established international cricketers, emerging players and members of Italy’s national setup.
Former Essex and Surrey cricketer Nadeem Shahid and Aamir Akhtar, who helped establish Nepal’s Everest Premier League, are launching the competition through Apex T10. The company holds the rights to franchise cricket in Italy for the next four years, with the Italian Cricket Federation endorsing the initiative.
The tournament is expected to feature international names including Chris Gayle, Shaun Marsh and Dawid Malan. Around 60 Italy-based players will also participate alongside overseas professionals, with opportunities for emerging Under-19 cricketers.
Shahid, one of the figures behind the league, told Reuters, “The potential for cricket in Italy made it a big draw.”
The ownership structure extends beyond Napoli Knights. The owners of Pakistan Super League franchise Quetta Gladiators have acquired the Rome franchise, while Indian and Pakistani businesspeople are also among the competition’s owners.
The league is awaiting International Cricket Council (ICC) sanction, which would allow overseas players to obtain the necessary releases from their respective national boards.
Olympic ambitions shape the league’s development strategy
The Italia T10 project is being developed with a broader focus on cricket participation and player development, rather than solely on the financial returns associated with franchise competitions.
Cricket’s inclusion in the Olympic programme has created another avenue for the sport’s expansion in Italy, where organisers are targeting the development of locally produced players capable of competing internationally.
Discussing the plans with Reuters, Shahid said, “One of the things that made it attractive is the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) beginning to take it seriously after it became an Olympic sport. Tickets will be free for all the matches, and there will be coaching clinics on the sidelines.”
Activate Sport & Leisure will be involved in some of the coaching activities, while the organisers are looking towards the 2032 Brisbane Olympics as a longer-term development target.
Italy’s men’s national team made its T20 World Cup debut earlier this year, recording a 10-wicket victory over Nepal and pushing England before eventually losing by 24 runs. The squad included players with Italian heritage based overseas and cricketers who had moved to Europe from South Asia.
On the opportunities for Italian players, Shahid added, “But we are hoping to unearth some home-grown talent as well.”
Rome’s established Indian and Sri Lankan communities are expected to provide an important audience for the competition, alongside the organisers’ efforts to introduce the sport to a wider Italian public.
Private investment and international expansion
The arrival of international players and established cricket owners places Italia T10 within the growing franchise cricket industry, although its organisers are pursuing a development-focused model.
The Indian Premier League (IPL), for comparison, has a brand value exceeding USD4 billion and an estimated total business value of USD20.6 billion, according to investment bank Houlihan Lokey. Italia T10’s immediate priorities, however, include establishing an audience, supporting domestic participation and creating a sustainable presence for cricket in Italy.
Shahid’s involvement also draws on his experience outside professional cricket. Since retiring in 2004, the former county player has developed businesses in property and technology in South Africa. Akhtar brings experience from Nepal’s franchise cricket market.
The organisers are considering whether a similar combination of franchise ownership and cricket development could eventually be introduced in other associate nations, with each market requiring an approach suited to its circumstances.
On the resources needed to support that ambition, Shahid told Reuters, “But I am hoping a combination of private investment and support at a national and international level can help develop the sport in both Italy and elsewhere.”
The Italian Cricket Federation’s backing provides domestic institutional support, while ICC approval remains an important outstanding requirement ahead of the tournament.
Anderson’s arrival adds profile to Napoli Knights
Anderson’s involvement gives Napoli Knights a recognisable international figure both in its ownership group and potentially on the field. The former England bowler played more than 400 international matches before ending his England career in 2024.
The franchise’s association with Anderson and Sutton has also been welcomed by the competition’s leadership. Nadeem Shahid, Founder and CEO of Apex Retail Limited, said in an official statement, “I played against Jimmy and Luke enough times to know how competitive they are, so having them as owners of the Napoli Knights is a massive statement for Italia T10.”
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According to BBC Sport, Lancashire is considering arranging a farewell event for Anderson following concerns raised by club members over the absence of an opportunity to recognise his long service. At a meeting attended by around 200 members at Old Trafford, Chief Executive Officer Richard Kenyon and incoming Director of Cricket Paul Farbrace agreed to explore a possible tribute. Anderson had taken 50 County Championship wickets last season and was named Lancashire’s Championship Player of the Year.
For Napoli Knights, the immediate task will be preparing for the inaugural competition, where Anderson is expected to combine his ownership responsibilities with playing and Captaincy duties.
Anderson outlined his ambitions in the official statement, saying, “Of course, we want Napoli Knights to be competitive and challenge for the title, but we also want to contribute to something that continues to grow well beyond the tournament itself. I can’t wait to get involved.”
The tournament is scheduled to conclude on November 29, with free admission and associated coaching programmes forming part of the organisers’ plans for its first edition.
