Birmingham owners complete takeover of women’s side

Birmingham City’s owners have completed the purchase of the women’s team, with England and Blues legend Karen Carney part of several independent investors involved in the deal.

Shelby Companies Limited (SCL) are a subsidiary of Knighthead Capital Management – an investment firm co-founded by Blues chairman Tom Wagner.

They bought a controlling share of the Championship club in July 2023 before increasing that to a full takeover last November.

They have now acquired a 97% stake in the women’s side.

The remaining 3% has been taken up by a group of “prominent female business leaders and global professional sporting icons” including 144-cap Carney and three-time US Open tennis champion Kim Clijsters.

In a statement, the club said the deal “will elevate the focus on the women’s team” and “deliver on the stated ambition to compete at the highest levels in the women’s game”.

Birmingham chief executive Jeremy Dale called the deal “a pivotal moment” in the club’s history.

“Birmingham City has a strong heritage in the women’s game, competing at the highest levels and winning the FA Cup in 2012,” he said.

“It has developed outstanding talents like Karen Carney, Kerys Harrop and Jess Carter, who have represented the women’s game with distinction.

“To now have Karen, along with Kim Clijsters and several other prominent women business leaders as investors is a pivotal moment for the club.”