Tom Brady enters the world of soccer as minority proprietor of English membership Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — NFL nice Tom Brady has turn into a minority proprietor of English second-tier soccer group Birmingham and desires to convey a profitable mentality to an underperforming membership.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion has partnered with the membership’s holding firm, U.S.-based Knighthead Capital Management, and turns into chairman of a brand new advisory board, Brady and Birmingham stated Thursday.

“Maybe you are asking, ‘What do you know about English football, Tom?’” Brady stated in a membership video. “Well, let’s just say I’ve got a lot to learn. But I do know a few things about winning.”

Birmingham stated Brady will “apply his extensive leadership experience and expertise across several components of the club.” That consists of working alongside the sports science division to advise on well being, vitamin and restoration packages.

“Birmingham is an iconic club with so much history and passion and to be part of the Blues is a real honor for me,” Brady stated.

Birmingham final performed within the Premier League in 2011, the identical 12 months it gained the English League Cup — certainly one of two main trophies the membership has captured in its 148-year historical past.

Brady joins a lot of different American sports stars to spend money on English soccer golf equipment.

Former NFL participant J.J. Watt just lately grew to become a minority investor in Burnley, which has simply been promoted to the Premier League, whereas PGA Tour golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas have stated they are going to be minority homeowners of Leeds after investing in 49ers Enterprises, which is within the strategy of taking on the second-tier group.

Basketball star LeBron James has been a part-owner of Liverpool since 2011 due to a small stake within the membership.

Brady has partnered with Knighthead Capital on a number of different ventures and the membership’s new chairman, Tom Wagner, is trying ahead to Brady’s “direct impact.”

“Tom Brady joining the Birmingham team is a statement of intent. We are setting the bar at world class,” Wagner stated. “Tom is both investing and committing his time and extensive expertise.”

“The goal,” Wagner added, “that Tom has committed to own is to make Birmingham a respected leader in nutrition, health, wellness, and recovery across the world of football.”

Brady gained six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and one other with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021.

He retired in February, after Tampa’s loss within the playoffs.