NFL legend Tom Brady has become a minority owner of English second division football club Birmingham City.
Brady, 46, has entered into a partnership with U.S.-based Knighthead Capital Management LLC — which completed its takeover of Birmingham in July — meaning the seven-time Super Bowl winner takes part-ownership of the team and becomes chair of the advisory board.
In that role, Brady will be “working directly with the club’s board and members of Birmingham City Football Club’s leadership team”.
Birmingham, who play in the Championship, one tier below the Premier League, say that Brady will work with the board “on global marketing efforts and the identification of new commercial partnership opportunities”.
“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,” Brady said.
“Birmingham City Football Club 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.”
Here we go! Proud to be part of the Blues family 💙💙💙 @BCFC pic.twitter.com/lSEbzzpcBk
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) August 3, 2023
Brady is not the first former NFL star to invest in English football. Former defensive end JJ Watt become a minority investor in Burnley, who have just been promoted to the Premier League from the Championship, in May and the 34-year-old was present at the club’s title-winning celebrations later that month.
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The announcement of Brady’s investment in Birmingham was made on his birthday (August 3) and comes two days before the West Midlands side begin their 2023-24 Championship season with an away match against Swansea City.
Birmingham were relegated from the Premier League in 2011 and have played in the English second tier ever since, making them the longest-serving club in that division.
Brady’s investment in Birmingham continues his relationship with Knighthead. Last year, Brady joined Knighthead’s ownership group of a Major League Pickleball team and in March, Brady’s eponymous clothing company became a partner of its World Endurance Championship racing team, Hertz Team JOTA.
Upon completing the takeover of Birmingham last month, Knighthead co-founder and co-chief executive Tom Wagner said his group will work on upgrades to their home ground, St. Andrew’s, as well as the women’s and academy facilities.
“Tom Brady joining the Birmingham City team is a statement of intent,” Wagner, who is also chairman of the board, said. “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 8, 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.”
Brady retired from the NFL at the end of the 2022 season, drawing a close to an illustrious 23-year playing career. The former quarterback spent most of his career with the New England Patriots but spent his last three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He holds the record for most Super Bowl victories with seven and most Super Bowl MVPs with five.
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(Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
