A landmark report by Leonard Curtis has revealed the first-ever Financial Performance Index for England and Wales’ 18 first-class counties, highlighting stark divides between those who host a Hundred franchise and those who don’t.
The report, launched July 15 at The Oval, comes as the counties prepare for a £520 million windfall from the sale of equity in The Hundred. Surrey, Lancashire, and Warwickshire — dubbed the “big three” — generated 44% of all county revenue in 2023, while smaller counties remain heavily reliant on ECB funding.
Surrey led the Index, with a score more than twice as strong as bottom-ranked Leicestershire. Host counties averaged a stronger performance (score 7.25) compared to non-hosts (9.07).
Former England captain Michael Vaughan, who wrote the foreword, urged counties to invest the new funds wisely: “The Hundred money allows counties to look to the future, not just survive. Smaller counties must spend it on player pathways and facilities.”
Key report findings include:
- Heavy financial dependence: Derbyshire (56%), Leicestershire (67%), and Northamptonshire (71%) of income comes from ECB distributions, compared to just 6% at Surrey.
- Competitive imbalance: The 50-over One-Day Cup has seen a 14% decline in competitive balance since the launch of The Hundred.
- Long-term risk: Without sustainable commercial strategies, many counties face uncertain futures once Hundred funds are spent.
Recommendations call for financial prudence, cash reserves, strategic investment, and resisting unsustainable spending pressures.
The report also points to major growth opportunities in women’s and disability cricket, urging counties and The Hundred to integrate these areas to broaden participation and fan engagement.
Leonard Curtis COO and former pro David Brown warned: “This is a chance to solve deep-rooted problems, but only if handled wisely. The strength of the sport relies on a strong, sustainable pyramid.”
The full Leonard Curtis Cricket Finance Report is available here.
