Birmingham City minority owner Tom Brady's new takeover deal 'moving forward’

Birmingham City minority owner Tom Brady is moving forward with his efforts to purchase a stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.

The professional American football team, valued at around $6.2 billion (£4.9 billion) according to Forbes, has been a target of Brady’s for some time. The NFL legend wants to buy into the sport he dominated as a player, entering the boardroom as a key player.

Brady reached an agreement with the LA Raiders in May 2023 but there’s been a significant delay in approving the deal, with a membership vote still required. Originally set to occur in October last year, the referendum is now set for this May.

Although still not rubber-stamped, there’s been a positive update from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. “I wouldn’t say there’s been a delay, we just go through a very thorough process,” Goodell said at the NFL’s annual league meet.

“We’re just going through the process. We’ve been in touch with their side and I think it’s been making progress,” Goodell said in a hopeful tone.

Raiders owner Mark Davis is confident Brady will finally acquire his stake, too. “We’re excited for Tom to join the Raiders. It’s exciting as he’ll be just the third player in the history of the National Football League to become an owner,” Davis told ESPN.

If and when Brady does become a stakeholder of the Raiders, it won’t impact his Birmingham responsibilities. Appointed the chairman of the club advisory board in August, Brady will continue that role. He’ll just have a busier calendar than usual with more to do in the US.