SCL in Birmingham City driver’s seat

Image: Birmingham City FC on Facebook

The US-based Shelby Companies Limited (SCL) has completed its full takeover of the English Football League (EFL) Championship team Birmingham City F.C. (UK) after acquiring the remaining 51.1 percent of shares in the previously Chinese-owned club.

‘BBC SPORT’ stated that SCL, a subsidiary of Knighthead Capital Management that was co-founded by ‘The Blues’ Chairman Tom Wagner, now controls 96.64 percent of Birmingham City Limited which, in turn, owns 100 percent of the Championship club and the women’s team.

Knighthead Capital Management, LLC is a New York (US)-based 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.

Preston (UK)-based the English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional football clubs from England and Wales (UK). 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) starting with the 2016-2017 seasons.

The Birmingham City Football Club is a professional football club based in Birmingham, England (UK). The team competes in the EFL Championship, the second level of the English football league system.

The 29,409-capacity St Andrew’s, known since 2024 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.

In a statement, the Blues said SCL “will continue to be solely responsible for all the operations of the club.”

The SCL first took a controlling stake in Birmingham in July 2023 when it bought 45.98 percent of Birmingham City Limited.

‘BBC SPORT’ further stated that it took full ownership of ‘The Blues’ ground at St Andrew’s in the process which was subsequently rebranded as St Andrew’s@Knighthead Park during the 2023-2024 seasons in a “multimillion pound” deal.

The NFL legend Tom Brady is also a minor investor in the club.

As well as considerable investment in the playing squad that delivered last season’s record-breaking promotion to the second tier under Chris Davies (Manager of Birmingham City) ‘The Blues’ Owners have poured between £20m and £25m into improving the stadium.

Wagner said of SCL’s move to full ownership, “This transaction is another important milestone for Knighthead and the Birmingham City Football Club. Transformation has taken place across every aspect of the club’s operations since our initial investment and it’s just the beginning. The ambition for our club is to be a beacon of excellence for Birmingham on the global stage. The journey to deliver this is well underway.”

Birmingham is ninth in the Championship table after 14 games, two points outside the play-off places.

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.

• Tags »
• Shelby Companies Limited
• takeover

« Previous News: London Lions arena project feasibility study
» Next News: Atlanta to set new benchmark for NWSL