NFL Legend Tom Brady Becomes Minority Owner of Birmingham City Football Club
Tom Brady, the legendary NFL quarterback, has taken on a new role as a minority owner of English second division football club Birmingham City. The 46-year-old has partnered with U.S.-based Knighthead Capital Management LLC, which recently completed its takeover of Birmingham in July. As part of this partnership, Brady will not only have part-ownership of the team but also serve as the chair of the advisory board.
In his new role, Brady will work closely with the club’s board and leadership team. Birmingham City, who currently plays in the Championship, one tier below the Premier League, has stated that Brady will focus on global marketing efforts and identifying new commercial partnership opportunities for the club.
Expressing his excitement about this new venture, Brady said, “Birmingham City is an iconic club with so much history and passion, and to be part of the Blues is a real honor for me. I’m looking forward to working 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 eager to apply my perspective to create that same success here in Birmingham.”
Brady’s investment in Birmingham follows in the footsteps of former NFL star JJ Watt, who became a minority investor in Burnley Football Club after their promotion to the Premier League. The announcement of Brady’s investment coincided with his birthday on August 3, just two days before Birmingham’s first match of the 2023-24 Championship season against Swansea City.
Birmingham City has a rich history but has faced challenges in recent years. Relegated from the Premier League in 2011, the club has been playing in the English second tier ever since, making them the longest-serving club in that division. With Brady’s involvement, Birmingham hopes to revitalize the team and bring it back to its former glory.
This partnership between Brady and Knighthead is not their first collaboration. Last year, Brady joined Knighthead’s ownership group of a Major League Pickleball team. Additionally, Brady’s clothing company became a partner of Knighthead’s World Endurance Championship racing team, Hertz Team JOTA, in March.
Tom Wagner, co-founder and co-chief executive of Knighthead, expressed his enthusiasm about Brady joining the Birmingham City team. He stated, “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 his knowledge. Our goal is to make Birmingham City a respected leader in nutrition, health, wellness, and recovery across the world of football.”
Brady retired from the NFL at the end of the 2022 season, concluding a remarkable 23-year playing career. Throughout his career, he achieved numerous records, including the most Super Bowl victories (seven) and the most Super Bowl MVPs (five). While he spent most of his career with the New England Patriots, he played his last three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With Brady’s involvement and Knighthead’s ownership, Birmingham City aims to make significant improvements. The club plans to upgrade their home ground, St. Andrew’s, as well as their women’s and academy facilities. The addition of experts from the world of sport and football, including Garry Cook as CEO and Hope Powell as Women’s technical director, further demonstrates Birmingham’s commitment to future success.
As Brady embarks on this new chapter in his career, fans eagerly anticipate witnessing his impact on Birmingham City Football Club. With his wealth of experience and success in the NFL, Brady’s involvement could be a game-changer for the club as they strive to reach new heights in English football.