Robert Lawson, the new Chief Executive and Secretary of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) as of mid-February 2025, has confirmed that the MCC is considering changing the name of the Club’s Hundred Franchise, currently known as the London Spirit.
The London Spirit are the defending Women’s Champions in The Hundred, while the Men’s team finished last in 2024.
Speaking to CityAM, Lawson confirmed that such a name change was being contemplated. He went further, noting that there were also discussions about changing the team’s kit colour to reflect the classic MCC colours.
Finally, he noted that beyond colors, there could be a change in kit sponsors. Lawson confirmed that such a change would require a shift in the sponsorship model from having one central deal (currently with KP Snacks), to franchises selling their own shirt sponsors.
While the sale of stakes in The Hundred are in progress and supposedly close to completion, governance matters need to be tackled next and only then can issues like team-specific shirt sponsors be addressed.
“What we need to have happen next is for the Hundred board to be established and that’s another piece of documentation that’s taken a while,” Lawson explained. “When that is in place those discussions can then happen.”
The ECB is targeting the completion of all eight investment deals before The Hundred kicks off its 2025 season on Tuesday, August 5. However, even with capital in place, substantive changes—such as rebrands and new kit sponsorships—are unlikely to be implemented before the 2026 season.
