Seven-time Superbowl champion Tom Brady has partnered with Knighthead Capital Management LLC to become a minority owner of Birmingham City Ltd.
The legendary American football player will become Chairman of the new Advisory Board, working directly with the Blues’ board and members of its leadership team.
The news follows the English Football League (EFL) Championship team being recently taken over by Shelby Companies Limited (SCL) a subsidiary of Knighthead Capital Management.
The club has stated that in his new role, Brady will ‘apply his leadership experience and expertise across several components of the club, including working alongside the sports science department to advise on health, nutrition, wellness, and recovery systems and programs.’
In addition, the 46-year-old will ‘work closely with the board and the management team on global marketing efforts and the identification of new commercial partnership opportunities for the club.’
The agreement grows Brady’s connection with Knighthead’s ownership group. He partnered with the group in 2022 on an investment into a Major League Pickleball team, and in March 2023, Brady’s lifestyle apparel clothing company, BRADY, was announced as the official apparel partner of Knighthead’s World Endurance Championship racing team, Hertz Team JOTA, which competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this past June.
Tom Wagner, Chairman of the Birmingham City FC board, said, “Tom Brady joining the Birmingham City team is a statement of intent. We are setting the bar at world class. Tom is both investing and committing his time and extensive expertise. As Chair of the Advisory Board Tom will have a direct impact on the club.
The men’s, women’s, and academy teams are going to benefit from the knowledge. The goal that Tom has committed to own is to make Birmingham City a respected leader in nutrition, health, wellness, and recovery across the world of football.
“A commitment to Blues fans was made on Monday 8th May 2023, to add experts from the world of sport and football to the team, putting in place the building blocks for future success. With Garry Cook as CEO, Hope Powell as Women’s Technical Director and now Tom Brady we are off to a fast start. Success does not come overnight. It takes time. But when you have great leaders in place everything becomes possible.”
Tom Brady, added, “Birmingham City is an iconic club with so much history and passion and to be part of the Blues is a real honour for me. BCFC is built on teamwork and determination and I’m excited to work alongside the board, management and players to make our Second City club second to none. I’ve been part of some amazing teams in my day, and I’m looking forward to applying my perspective to create that same success here in Birmingham.”
Within the last year numerous American sports stars have ventured into English football; former NFL star JJ Watt and his wife Kealia Watt, a former USA soccer player, have announced an investment in Burnley FC.
Michael B Jordan also became a minority owner of Bournemouth FC in his first professional sports investment.
Golfers Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, and NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook are also minority stakeholders in Championship club Leeds United.
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