James Anderson's Surprising Career Move After Lancashire Exit

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-28

James Anderson is used to making headlines with a cricket ball in his hand. But this time, the news is about a different kind of role. The 44-year-old England great has become a co-owner of Napoli Knights, a franchise in the new Italia T10 League. It's a move that caught many by surprise, coming just days after Lancashire told him they wouldn't offer him a contract for next season. So what does this mean for Anderson's playing future? And why is a fast bowler with almost no short-format experience suddenly investing in Italian cricket? Let's unpack it. ### Anderson and Luke Sutton Take Charge of Napoli Knights The Italia T10 League runs from November 18 to 29 in Rome. It was founded by Apex T10 Limited, a company owned by former Essex and Surrey batter Nadeem Shahid. On Tuesday, the league confirmed that Activate Sport and Leisure, a British talent management agency, will operate the Napoli Knights franchise. Luke Sutton, who runs Activate, will serve as co-owner alongside Anderson. Sutton is a former Lancashire wicketkeeper and managed Anderson for several years early in his career. When asked whether Anderson put his own money into the team or received a stake in exchange for his work—often called sweat equity—Sutton didn't immediately confirm. Anderson said in a press release that cricket has given him a great deal and that he's excited to be involved in the game in a different capacity. He added that he wants Napoli Knights to compete for the title while also contributing to the long-term growth of the sport in Italy. Sutton described the venture as an opportunity to help an emerging cricket nation. ### Lancashire Decision Leaves Anderson's Playing Future Open Paul Farbrace, Lancashire's new director of cricket, informed Anderson last week that the club didn't plan to give him a new deal. Anderson responded on Instagram on Sunday, saying the ending would have been different if the decision had been his. He wished the players and fans well for the future. Anderson hasn't said whether he'll look for a contract with another county in 2027. His media work has expanded over the past several years. He appears regularly as a pundit for the BBC, features on the Tailenders podcast, and worked briefly in a coaching role with England after he retired from international cricket two years ago. Former England teammate Stuart Broad criticized Lancashire's handling of the matter on his podcast, For the Love of Cricket. Broad said the club didn't treat Anderson with the respect a player of his standing deserves and called it a failure of leadership. ### Anderson's Limited Record in Franchise Cricket The new role stands out because Anderson has played very little short-form cricket during his career. He appeared in three matches for Manchester Originals in the Hundred last year and later said he hated every minute of the experience. That's quite a statement from someone who's now co-owning a T10 team. ### Italy's Growing Profile in the Sport Italy's growing profile in the sport formed part of the league's pitch. The men's national team qualified for the T20 World Cup for the first time this year and beat Nepal by 10 wickets in a group game. The squad relies heavily on foreign-born players with Italian heritage, and Derbyshire's Wayne Madsen and Australian allrounder Harry Manenti have captained it. ### Italia T10 League Draws Investors From Several Countries Other backers have joined the competition as well. The owners of the Pakistan Super League side Quetta Gladiators bought the Rome franchise, and investors from India and Pakistan are also involved. The league states that it aims to deliver entertaining cricket, showcase talent, and engage audiences in Italy and abroad. Napoli Knights will begin their campaign when the tournament opens in Rome next month. > "Cricket has given me a great deal, and I'm excited to be involved in the game in a different capacity." – James Anderson It's a new chapter for Anderson, one that might not involve bowling but could be just as impactful. And for cricket fans in Italy and beyond, it's a sign that the sport is growing in unexpected places.