Knighthead lofty goals for Birmingham City

Image: St Andrew’s Stadium, fitzyt, CC BY 3.0

Knighthead, the American group that owns the Birmingham City Football Club (UK) with minority partner Tom Brady, has acquired 48 acres plot of land to build a multiuse stadium and sports complex.

‘bcfc.com’ stated that the Knighthead Capital Management has completed purchase of 48-acre plot on Bordesley Park in East Birmingham, UK.

The above is a key step toward creating a vibrant Sports Quarter and a new world-class stadium.

The Knighthead Capital Management, LLC is a New York (US)-based Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-registered investment adviser founded in 2008. The firm focuses on long-short investments and specializes in event-driven, distressed credit and special situation opportunities across a broad array of industries.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is a US Government oversight agency responsible for regulating the securities markets and protecting the investors.

The Birmingham City Football Club is a professional football club based in Birmingham, England (UK). Formed in 1875 as the Small Heath Alliance, it was renamed Small Heath in 1888, Birmingham in 1905, and Birmingham City in 1943. Since 2011, the first team have competed in the English Football League (EFL) Championship, the second tier of English football.

The 29,409-capacity St. Andrew’s, known for sponsorship reasons as the St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, is an association football stadium in the Bordesley district of Birmingham, England (UK). It has been the home ground of the Birmingham City Football Club for more than a century.

Preston (UK)-based the English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888 as the Football League, it is the oldest football league in the world and was the top-level football league in England from its foundation until 1992, when the top 22 clubs split from it to form the Premier League, the highest level of the English football league system. The Football League was rebranded as the ‘English Football League’ (EFL) from the 2016-2017 seasons.

Tom Brady is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 23 seasons. Brady is widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time.

• Knighthead’s ambition for the Birmingham City Football Club is to become a beacon of excellence for Birmingham on the global stage, boosted by the new Sports Quarter infrastructure plans;
• The Sports Quarter to be home to world-class stadium and training facilities for all Birmingham City teams and extensive commercial and community facilities;
• The development of the Sports Quarter is expected to generate over 3,000 local jobs;
• Knighthead’s investment into the Sports Quarter follows the company’s takeover of the football club and further showcases the company’s continued commitment and ambitions for the City of Birmingham; and
• The plans have been led by the Knighthead Co-Chief Executive Officer and Birmingham City Chairman, Tom Wagner, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Garry Cook.

 
‘bcfc.com’ further stated that certain entities managed by the Knighthead Capital Management LLC (‘Knighthead’) have completed the purchase of the 48-acre former Wheels site on Bordesley Park (a wedding venue in Worcestershire, England that has a Tudor barn, luxury marquee and panoramic views) bringing their total land holding to more than 60 acres, excluding the St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park.

The Knighthead and the Birmingham City Football Club are developing plans for a vibrant Sports Quarter, with the intention to build a new multiuse stadium, high-performance training facilities and other mixed-use real estate development including a range of entertainment options. This is to be the new home of the Birmingham City Football Club and a world-class venue to bring international sporting events to the region. The news represents a significant step on the club’s growth journey following the takeover by Knighthead in July 2023.

The Birmingham City sits at the heart of the community in Birmingham through its activity on the pitch and the important work of the Birmingham City Foundation. The regeneration of the Bordesley Green (an inner-City suburb of Birmingham, England) and the planned facilities for the local people is central to the owners’ ambition to make a positive contribution to people from all backgrounds across the City.

The ambition for the Sports Quarter is for it to become a globally recognizable sporting and entertainment location. The goal is for the ‘Blues’ to have a world-class stadium, training facilities for both men and women, a new academy, community pitches, and commercial space to support innovative local businesses, all within walking distance to the City Centre.

The plans will not only help realize the vision for the football club, but also deliver for East Birmingham as part of Knighthead’s plan to play a significant role in the ongoing transformation of Birmingham’s infrastructure and skyline. Once operational, the Sports Quarter should generate over 3,000 full-time jobs and significantly contribute to Birmingham’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Maintained Tom Wagner, Knighthead Co-CEO and Chairman, “When we invested in Birmingham City, we made it very clear that we had an ambitious vision to transform the experience for our fans and make a positive contribution to the growth and vitality of the City of Birmingham. The acquisition of the former Wheels site is an important next step in making this a reality. The plans for the Sports Quarter will bring global interest to our club and to Birmingham as a whole. It is going to transform the future of our Men’s, Women’s and Academy teams, and the fortunes of the community that we call home. We are excited to collaborate with the fans, the local community and the key partners in Birmingham to deliver on our plans for the Sports Quarter.”

Added Garry Cook, Birmingham City Football Club head honcho, “The Birmingham City story dates back to 1875 when the Small Heath Alliance team was formed. A blue thread based on teamwork, entertainment and unbreakable community spirit was created. This is the strength of our brand. Our owners have an ambition that is greater than anything this club has ever seen, and when we deliver it the impact on the global reputation of Birmingham will be seismic. Tom Wagner, in his May 8^th, 2023 Letter to Fans, asked the supporters to hold Knighthead accountable to six commitments. One of those was for the Birmingham City Football Club to build on the pivotal role it plays in the economic, social and cultural landscape in the City, making sure it is always a cornerstone and positive force for good in the local community. Without doubt, today’s (April 9th) announcement delivers on this commitment.”

Commented Councilor John Cotton, Birmingham City Council leader, “This is a huge moment for everyone associated with the Birmingham City F.C., and I’m sure Knighthead’s ambitious vision will excite the ‘Blues’ fans everywhere. I want to thank our Council officers who have worked so closely with the club and these exciting plans will regenerate the area, creating thousands of much-needed jobs. Hopefully, this is the first step on a journey to Birmingham once again being home to two Premier League football clubs.”

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