TRUE BLUE
NFL legend Tom Brady becomes joint owner of BIRMINGHAM CITY as giddy fans ask ‘is this real life?’
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FANS have reacted in disbelief after NFL legend Tom Brady confirmed he has switched football codes to become a joint owner of Birmingham City.
The record seven-time Super Bowl winner, who is said to be worth £400m, follows Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who took over Wrexham, into investing in a football team.
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Brady, who has recently been rumoured to be dating Kim Kardashian, has "entered into a partnership" with Birmingham's new owners, Knighthead Capital Management LLC, and will work directly with the Championship side’s board.
Birmingham fans were stunned by the news.
“Is this real life” asked one as another Blue Nose declared: “My club is MASSIVE!”
“We are back” announced another with a fellow supporter writing “holy moly” and another simply tweeting: “Pinch me.”
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And another commented: “Am I dreaming...someone pinch me! What fantastic news! Welcome to the Blues Tom!”
Brady, who recently divorced supermodel Gisele Bundchen, is widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history.
The 46-year-old won the Super Bowl seven times in a glittering 23-year career before retiring earlier this year.
Brady, who also recently sparked rumours of a romance with Irina Shayk after being spotted packing on the PDA in Los Angeles, spoke directly to fans via video.
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And despite admitting he knows little about football, he declared he would be immediately getting down to work.
Brady told fans: “I’m officially coming on board at Birmingham City Football Club.
"And maybe you’re asking ‘what do you know about English football, Tom?’
“Well, let’s just say that I’ve got a lot to learn.
"But I do know a few things about winning and I think they might translate pretty well.
“I know success starts with the work put in when the world is not watching. I know that a team is nothing without the city that shows up and stands behind it.
";Most importantly, I know I like being the underdog.
“The road's been long for Birmingham but these fans have never stopped believing.
“We’ve got a song that says no matter what you keep right on until the end of the road and I’ll be on that road with you.
“I’ll see you at St Andrews soon - it’s time to get to work. Let’s go.”
Brady earned £260million in salary through his 23 seasons as a player, plus another £140m in sponsorships and endorsements.
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Brady, who has two children, Benjamin and Vivian, with Bundchen and shares eldest son Jack with actress Bridget Moynahan, predicted he will bring success to Birmingham.
He said in an official statement: “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.
“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 says that the American will be very very involved in all levels at the club.
It said: “Tom 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.
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.”
“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.
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 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.
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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.
Brady, who bought stakes in the, has since been involved with several global endeavours with Knighthead across a variety of sports.
He joined their ownership group for a Major League Pickleball team in 2022.
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.
He now becomes the latest big-name American to take an interest in English clubs outside of the Premier League bubble.
Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over Wrexham and financed their return from non-league back into League Two last term.
And former NFL star JJ Watt, 34, recently confirmed he had invested in Burnley alongside his wife, Kealia Watt, who is a former USA international footballer.
They revealed they are now part owners of the Turf Moor outfit, who won promotion to the Premier League last season as champions under Vincent Kompany.
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Watt and Kealia were in attendance as Burnley beat Cardiff 3-0 on the final day of the Championship campaign.
And Watt even got to bring out the Championship trophy after the match before it was presented to the players.
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