Next Ted Lasso? Brady Buys Into English Football As Birmingham Minority Owner

By Barry Janoff

August 3, 2023: Is Tom Brady the new Ted Lasso? Or does he want to be the next Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny.

Openly admitting that “I’ve got a lot to learn about English football,” Brady has entered into a partnership with Knighthead Capital Management to become a minority owner of Birmingham City Ltd.

Brady will become chairman of a new advisory board, working directly with the club's board and members of Birmingham City Football Club's leadership team.

Financial terms were not released.

Birmingham FC, founded in 1875, competes in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football, and plays in St. Andrews Stadium.

In July, Knighthead Capital Management, via its affiliate Shelby Companies Limited, became majority owner of Birmingham City FC and St. Andrews.

"Maybe you are asking, ‘What do you know about English football, Tom?'" Brady said in a video posted to social media by the club. "Well, let's just say I've got a lot to learn. But I do know a few things about winning. Think they might translate pretty well.

“I know success starts with the work put in when the world isn’t watching. I know that a team is noting without the city that shows up and stands behind it. Most importantly, I know I like being the underdog.”

Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) did well with that philosophy for fictional English Premier League team AFC Richmond, as did actors and businessmen Reynolds and McElhenny, who in 2020 became co-majority owner of Wales-based Wrexham AFC.

"Tom Brady joining the Birmingham City team is a statement of intent — we are setting the bar at world class,” Tom Wagner, Knighthead Capital Management co-founder, said via the investment firm, which said it currently has approximately $9.5 billion of assets under management.

"Maybe you are asking, ‘What do you know about English football, Tom? Let's just say I've got a lot to learn."

“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.”

According to Wagner, “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."

Knighthead Capital Management said Brady would “apply his extensive 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, Brady 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.”

Among his many endeavors, Brady in June became a minority owner of the WNBA Las Vegas Aces.

Birmingham City last month signed global streetwear brand Undefeated as the club's new principal partner and sponsor, becoming “creative director on all future strategic merchandise and other marketing projects between the brand and the club, creating unique experiences for Birmingham City fans.”

"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," said Brady via Knighthead Capital Management.

"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.

“The road’s been long for Birmingham, but these fans have never stopped believing. See you at St. Andrews soon. It’s time to get to work.”

According to Wagner, "A commitment to Blues fans was made on May 8, 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."

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