NFL legend Tom Brady has switched football codes to become a minority owner of Birmingham City.
The 46-year-old, a seven-time Super Bowl winner, has entered a partnership with Knighthead Capital Management LLC and will become Chairman of the new Advisory Board.
NFL legend Tom Brady is now a minority owner of Birmingham City
Fans reacted in disbelief to the news of the NFL icon’s arrival on Twitter
Welcome to the Blues family, @TomBrady!
pic.twitter.com/ppPyLc6Zsf
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) August 3, 2023
He is now a minority owner of Birmingham City Ltd and will work directly with the Championship side’s board and members of Birmingham City Football Club’s leadership team.
Chairman of the board, Tom Wagner, 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.”
Wagner continued: “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 himself said: “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.
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“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.”
A statement from Birmingham City says that the American will “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”.
It also added that 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 second tier outfit.
Stunned fans did not take long to react to the news on Twitter, with one reply asking: “Is this real life?”
Another Blue Nose declared: “My club is MASSIVE!”
“We are back” announced another with a fellow supporter writing “holy moly” as well as a fellow fan commenting: “Am I dreaming…someone pinch me! What fantastic news! Welcome to the Blues Tom!”
Brady retired from NFL in 2023 after 23 illustrious seasons and holds the record for most Super Bowl victories and the most Super MVPs with five.
He also earned the NFL Most Valuable Player Award three times, the NFL Offensive Player of the Year twice, and has been honoured with multiple ESPY Awards and Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year distinctions, along with his naming to the NFL 100th Anniversary ‘All-Time Team.’
Brady has since been involved with several global endeavours with Knighthead across a variety of sports and joined their ownership group for a Major League Pickleball team in 2022.
Then, back in March, Brady’s lifestyle apparel clothing company was announced as the Official Apparel Partner of Knighthead’s World Endurance Championship racing team, Hertz Team JOTA, which competed at the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans this past June.
Now his arrival at Birmingham will no doubt provide long-suffering supporters with a huge boost ahead of the upcoming campaign, which sees John Eustace’s side start with a trip to Swansea on Saturday.
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