James Anderson's Surprising Career Move After Lancashire Exit

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-28

James Anderson isn't done with cricket just yet. The 44-year-old England legend has joined the ownership group of Napoli Knights, a franchise in the new Italia T10 League. The announcement came just days after Lancashire told him they wouldn't offer a new contract for next season. So instead of hanging up his boots, Anderson is stepping into a new role – as a co-owner. ### 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 keeps the co-owner title alongside Anderson, runs Activate. Sutton is a former Lancashire wicketkeeper and managed Anderson for several years earlier in his career. When asked, Sutton didn't immediately confirm whether Anderson invested his own money or received a stake in exchange for his work – often called sweat equity. In a press release, Anderson said cricket has given him a great deal and 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. It's a sentiment that many fans share – seeing a legend leave without a proper farewell. ### Anderson's Limited Record in Franchise Cricket The new role stands out because Anderson has played 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. So why would he want to own a T10 team? Perhaps it's less about playing and more about being involved in the game's growth. 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. > "Cricket has given me a great deal, and I'm excited to be involved in the game in a different capacity." – James Anderson Napoli Knights will begin their campaign when the tournament opens in Rome next month. For Anderson, it's a chance to stay close to the sport he loves while helping it grow in a new market. And who knows? Maybe he'll even dust off his boots if the opportunity arises. But for now, he's focused on making Napoli Knights a success. As cricket continues to expand globally, moves like this show how experienced players can contribute beyond their playing days. It's a win-win: Anderson gets a new challenge, and Italy gets a boost from a true legend of the game.