![Tom Brady has become a minority shareholder in Birmingham city (Image: Birmingham City Twitter)](/upload/news/2023/08/03/81764.jpg)
NFL legend Tom Brady has become a minority shareholder in Championship side Birmingham City and will assume the role of chairman of the club's advisory board.
The news was announced by Blues on Thursday morning, with the club having undergone a takeover by American Tom Wagner earlier this summer. Brady announced his retirement from the NFL in February after more than two decades as a player.
Brady has forged a close relationship with Wagner's Knighthead company in recent years. He is also part of the group's ownership of a Major League Pickleball, with his lifestyle apparel clothing company the Official Apparel Partner of Knighthead's World Endurance Championship racing team.
Now the former New England Patriot has opted to get involved at Birmingham. As part of his involvement, Brady will become chairman of the club's new advisory board.
In that role, he will work alongside the sports science department to advise on health, nutrition, wellness, and recovery systems and programmes. He is also set to advise the board and the management team on global marketing efforts and the identification of new commercial partnership opportunities for the club.
And the legendary quarterback is excited to get started at his new club, who are preparing for a 13th successive season in the second tier. He highlighted Birmingham's history as one of the major reasons he has opted to get involved.
Brady 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. 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.”
Owner Wagner is also delighted to welcome Brady to St Andrew's, insisting Thursday's announcement was a major statement of intent. He admitted that it will take time for Knighthead's plans to be put in place, but that City were aiming to be "world-class".
“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," Wagner said.
"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.
“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.”