Tom Brady has invested in Championship club Birmingham City and will chair an advisory board that works with Blues chefs.
The NFL superstar, a seven-time Super Bowl winner, has an existing relationship with the club’s new American owners and will become a “minority owner.”
The news will cheer supporters ahead of the new Championship campaign, although the extent of Brady’s practical involvement remains to be seen.
Brady said: ‘Birmingham City are an iconic club with so much history and passion and to be part of the Blues is a real honor for me. BCFC is built on teamwork and determination and I look forward to working with the board, management and players to make our Second City club second to none.
“I’ve been part of some great teams in my time and I’m looking forward to applying my perspective to create the same success here in Birmingham.”
NFL icon Tom Brady has become a minority owner of Birmingham City Football Club
The seven-time Super Bowl winner will become chairman of the St. Andrew’s advisory board
Chairman Tom Wagner added: ‘Tom Brady joining the Birmingham City team is a statement of intent. We set the bar on world class. Tom invests and dedicates both his time and extensive expertise.
As chairman of the advisory board, Tom will have a direct impact on the club. The men’s, women’s and academy teams will benefit from the knowledge. The goal that Tom has committed to owning is to make Birmingham City a respected leader in nutrition, health, wellness and recovery in the world of football.
On May 8, 2023, a commitment was made to Blues fans to add experts from the world of sports and football to the team, setting the building blocks for future success. With Garry Cook as CEO, Hope Powell as Women’s Technical Director and now Tom Brady, we’re off to a fast start. Success doesn’t come overnight. It takes time. But when you have great leaders, anything becomes possible.’
In a separate video, Brady admitted he has “a lot to learn” about English football, but made it clear that he will bring a winning mentality to his new club.
‘You may be wondering, ‘what do you know about English football, Tom?’ Let’s just say I still have a lot to learn,” he said.
“But I do know a thing or two about winning. I think they can translate quite well. I know that success starts with the work that goes into it when the world is not watching. I know a team is nothing without the city that shows up and stands behind it. The most important thing is that I know I like being the underdog.’
Brady (second from right) became a boat racing team owner last month and took a keen interest in the sport along with Rafael Nadal and Sergio Perez
The 46-year-old has built his business empire since retiring from the NFL in 2023
Since retiring from American Football, Brady has shown a keen interest in getting involved in other sports.
Last month, he joined Rafael Nadal and Formula 1 star Sergio Perez to own a boat racing team. His new team will compete in next year’s E1 World Championship in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Brady is in the process of investing in the Las Vegas Raiders, but it has yet to receive league approval due to a rule blocking the distribution of stock to players and other employees.
The former NFL star, whose net worth is estimated to be around $300 million, also has multiple business ventures, including an eponymous clothing line and a wellness company.
In 2013, the seven-time Super Bowl winner launched wellness company TB12, which sells protein powders, snack packs, and exercise equipment. Last year, he co-founded the NFT platform Autograph, which focuses on sports and media-related non-fungible tokens.
On January 12, his clothing line Brady Brand, or BRADY, went online.
Brady becomes the latest American to invest in the Premier League.
Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Fulham, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Burnley, Leeds and Manchester City all have some level of US funding.
Another former NFL player JJ Watt is a minority investor in Burnley. In response to Brady’s announcement, the ex-Houston Texans defensive end tweeted, “Well well well what have we got here…Happy for you, wishing Birmingham all the best and hope to see you in the PL soon!” Up the Clarets!’
Actor Michael B. Jordan is a minority shareholder in Bournemouth, while golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas are involved in Leeds.
Brady is the latest to turn his attention to football and will aim to help Birmingham turn their fortunes around after finishing 17th in the Championship last season.
Birmingham have not played in the Premiership since relegation from the Premier League in 2011.