London Spirit will stick with their familiar badge for now, yet change is in the air at Lord’s after the club confirmed Mo Bobat as director of cricket and finalised a 49 per-cent share sale to the Silicon Valley group calling themselves the Tech Titans. The deal, signed off by the ECB alongside five other Hundred equity moves last month, keeps majority control with MCC but brings fresh investment and – from 2026 – updated visual branding that may well dip into the ground’s famous egg-and-bacon colours.
“It’s an honour to join London Spirit at such an exciting time,” Bobat said. “The opportunity to shape the cricketing future of this franchise, working with MCC and our new partners, the Tech Titans, is incredibly exciting. I’m looking forward to building something special – on and off the field.”
Chairman Julian Metherell echoed the enthusiasm. “Today marks a significant moment for London Spirit. Mo Bobat brings unmatched expertise and vision to the role of Director of Cricket, and we’re thrilled to welcome him. At the same time, retaining the London Spirit name reflects our belief in the identity that’s been built – one that resonates with the capital, our fans, and our values. We now look ahead to a new era, with fresh energy and clear purpose.”
Bobat, formerly the ECB’s performance director and currently holding the same post at Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL, will begin work in October. Dual roles are increasingly common in franchise cricket; the scheduling overlap is minimal, yet Spirit will still want clarity on how he divides his time.
On the field things remain a mixed bag. Justin Langer’s men were rolled for just 80 in their 2025 opener – hardly the sales pitch the new investors had in mind – before rebounding against Welsh Fire at the weekend. The women’s side, coached by Laura Marsh, have started more steadily, and insiders insist the wider playing structure will be reviewed once Bobat is in the building.
Why the re-brand pause? Spirit’s market research suggests name recognition in the capital is decent, and any abrupt switch risks alienating an audience the Hundred has only recently attracted. Expect, instead, subtler tweaks: different colourways, more London-centric imagery, perhaps the odd nod to MCC heritage. In truth the financial muscle from California matters more than a new logo.
What does Bobat bring? His England stint was defined by data-led scouting and a knack for unearthing adaptable players. Franchise cricket, with its tight squads and rapid decision-making, should suit those skills. He will oversee both men’s and women’s lists, looking at draft strategy, player development and, crucially, how to make Spirit contenders in a format where one bad week can wreck a season.
There are challenges. The Hundred’s salary bands limit freedom, and the best local talent is already spread thin. But sources at Lord’s talk of a long-term plan: sharpen tactics, use analytics smartly, and lean on the club’s pull as a Lord’s-based outfit to lure overseas stars when windows open.
Spirit supporters will judge all of that later. For now, confirmation of Bobat’s arrival and reassurance that the name stays the same provides a measure of stability – handy, given that a new era, with all its usual uncertainties, starts in only a few months.
