Athletes are known for their exceptional s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s on the field. After retirement, however, many venture into new businesses and some invest in sports franchises. There’s a long list of superstar athletes investing in sports, with soccer the most preferred. Tom Brady recently became a part owner of the English club, Birmingham City. Brady also becomes the chairman of the club’s advisory board.
He seems to be walking in the footsteps of another former NFL superstar, JJ Watt, who recently bought minority stakes in another English club Burnley with his soccer wife. Meanwhile, a former USMNT star has likened Brady’s investment to that of 2x NBA champion, Kevin Durant.
Tom Brady made a sensible decision?
Former American defender, Heath Pearce, was on the CBS sports podcast, In Soccer We Trust A: U.S. Soccer Podcast. Jimmy Conrad and Charlie Davies also joined the former USMNT defender. They spoke about Lionel Messi, the MLS deadline day, and Brady’s new investment. Pearce compared the former quarterback’s decision to that of Kevin Durant’s with the MLS club, Philadelphia Union.
🔵 @TomBrady. Bluenose. pic.twitter.com/jMvLEDzAkV
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) August 3, 2023
Pearce said, “It’s an investment thing. It’s probably a sweetheart of a deal. In terms of equity, he gets the money that he puts in exchange like Kevin Durant got a great deal compared to what the valuation of the club is right now.” When Durant purchased 5% stakes in Philadelphia Union three years back, the club’s value was $325 million. He invested $16.25 million for 5% stakes.
Kevin Durant is officially a minority owner of MLS' Philadelphia Union pic.twitter.com/3pwurdcP1s
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 15, 2020
Today the club’s valuation stands at $555 million, a $230 million rise that will see Durant’s investment rise. Pearce feels by choosing the club in the lower division, Brady eyes a significant return on his investments with a potential of net worth going up. Brady partners with the US hedge fund Knighthead Capital Management, which recently took day-to-day control of the club.
The EFL Championship club didn’t reveal the details of Brady’s investment. Meanwhile, the legendary quarterback would chair a new advisory board to focus on health, nutrition, marketing, and new commercial opportunities. The club’s new chairman feels it’s a statement of intent and expects Brady to invest his valuable time and expertise to take the club to new heights.
Source: essentiallysports.com
