Thomas Wagner, boss of New York-based investment firm Knighthead Capital, is one of those annoying people: successful, suave and, worst of all, a nice bloke.
His company is doing something very special for Birmingham – pumping vast sums of cash, and vision, into the city’s sports teams.
Knighthead acquired Birmingham City football club in 2023; a 49% stake in Birmingham Phoenix, the Hundred cricket franchise, in February this year; and this week a major stake in the Birmingham Panthers netball club.
Wagner said in yesterday’s press release: “Netball is a sport on the rise and adding it to our portfolio is another step towards our ultimate ambition, a Sports Quarter that will promote investment and create jobs, growth and opportunities at an unprecedented scale in East Birmingham.”
Note the bit about the Sports Quarter.
£3bn investment in a world-class Sports Quarter
The £3bn Sports Quarter scheme is set to create 8,400 jobs and £370m of growth a year by attracting international sports fixtures and other events to the city. Plans for the development include a new 60,000-seater stadium for the Blues. Big numbers. Big vision. Land is already being acquired. This thing is happening.
Wagner and his crack team of sports-savvy investors, including, notably, NFL legend Tom Brady, appear to be here not just for a quick buck but for the long haul.
Americans with laser-focused commercial vision and a bit of razzle-dazzle – exactly what Birmingham and its sports teams need right now.
Thank you, Mr Wagner, and keep up the good work.
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