Tag: owner

Jun 11, 2023; Paris,France; Tom Brady and Jelena Djokovic in attendance for the Novak Djokovic (SRB) and Casper Ruud (NOR) men s final on day 15 at Stade Roland-Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady becomes minority owner of English soccer team

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Retired NFL great Tom Brady is now a minority owner of English second-tier soccer club Birmingham City FC.

The seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback’s partnership with team owner Knighthead Capital Management LLC was announced Thursday, Brady’s 46th birthday.

“I’ve been part of some amazing teams in my day, and I’m looking forward to applying my perspective to create that same success here in Birmingham,” said Brady, who becomes a chairman of the club’s advisory board.

A Birmingham City news release said Brady, who retired in February after 23 seasons in the NFL, will apply his “extensive leadership experience and expertise across several components of the club, including working alongside the sports science department to advise on health, nutrition, wellness, and recovery systems and programs.”

Brady won six Super Bowl championships with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Brady is the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards (89,214) and touchdowns (649) but admits he has “a lot to learn” about English football.

“So here’s the deal, I’m officially coming on board at Birmingham City Football Club,” Brady said. “And maybe you’re asking what do you know about English football, Tom? Well let’s just say I’ve got a lot to learn. But I do know a few things about winning, and I think they may translate pretty well.

“I know success starts with the work put in when the world isn’t watching. I know a team is nothing without the city that shows up and stands behind it. Most importantly, I know I like being the underdog. The road’s been long for Birmingham, but these fans have never stopped believing. I’ll see you at St Andrew’s soon. It’s time to get to work.”

Founded in 1875, Birmingham City has been in the second-tier English Championship since being relegated from the Premier League after the 2010-11 season. BCFC finished in 17th place in 2022-23.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2020; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and his wife Tanya look on as head coach Ron Rivera speaks during his introductory press conference at Inova Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Commanders sale coming soon, Jeff Bezos sits out for now

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Washington Commanders could be sold as soon as March, NBC Sports Washington reported Tuesday.

The new league year starts at 4 p.m. on March 15, and the NFL’s annual meeting is at the end of March.

The candidates for new ownership are still unclear, though the Washington Post reported Tuesday that several groups submitted bids before a late December date requested by BofA Securities, the investment bank handling the sale. No candidate reached Daniel Snyder’s $7 billion asking price, the Washington Post reported.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, an early favorite among potential candidates, did not submit an official bid, according to multiple reports. That does not eliminate the possibility of Bezos making a bid later.

The Commanders have said that Snyder and his wife Tanya Snyder, the co-CEO, will “consider potential transactions” for the franchise — whether selling all or part of the team.

Multiple reports have said Todd Boehly, another front-runner for ownership, is exiting the bidding. Raised in the Washington suburb of Bethesda, Md., Boehly is the CEO of Eldridge Industries, chairman of Chelsea Football Club and part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), Lakers (NBA) and Sparks (WNBA).

Josh Harris, co-founder of Apollo Global Management and owner of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, is considered another leading candidate. He was part of a group pursuing the Denver Broncos before they were sold to the Walton-Penner Group.

Spokespersons for Harris, who was raised in Chevy Chase, Md., have repeatedly declined to comment. A Commanders spokesperson had no comment on any potential transaction Tuesday, NBC Sports Washington reported.

–Field Level Media

Jan 16, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talks (R) with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (L) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones skips scouting combine

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, typically a presence at the annual NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, stayed in Dallas this week for perhaps multiple reasons.

The team announced that Jones, who has owned the team since 1989, is dealing with an unspecified medical minor issue.

In addition, the Dallas Morning News said on social media, citing an unnamed source, that Jones “is also handling some NFL business involving commissioner Roger Goodell.”

Goodell is reportedly in negotiations with the NFL on a new contract.

Jones’ absence also comes about a week after the team reportedly reached a $2.4 million settlement over accusations by four cheerleaders that a former team executive gained access to their locker room and watched them change clothes.

–Field Level Media

Oct 10, 2021; London, England, United Kingdom; Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank reacts during an NFL International Series game against the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Jets 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Arthur Blank has COVID, will miss first-ever game as Falcons owner

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, making it the first contest he won’t see in person since he bought the team in 2002.

The Falcons said he will watch the game from home and won’t be on hand at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The team added Blank, 79, is fully vaccinated and had a booster shot.

He “is doing well and is in great spirits, experiencing only mild symptoms at this time,” the team said in a news release, adding the “entire Falcons team is fully vaccinated.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 28, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson waves to fans before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Saints, Pelicans owner Benson tests positive for COVID-19

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson tested positive for the coronavirus and is “progressing well and improving daily” in her recovery, the NFL team announced Friday in a statement.

Benson, 73, was diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last few weeks, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo confirmed Friday. It was not immediately known what symptoms Benson experienced.

“Mrs. Benson did test positive for COVID-19,” the Saints announced in a statement. “She is progressing well and improving daily. She has not missed a daily work call with the Saints and Pelicans staff nor has she missed an NBA or NFL owner call in recent days — she was not hospitalized and is recovering at home in New Orleans. She thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers.”

Saints coach Sean Payton was diagnosed with COVID-19 in March, the first NFL coach known to have contracted the virus.

Three Saints players had tested positive for COVID-19, however all three were believed to have been “false positives.” The players quickly were removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Saints kick off their season at home against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 13.

–Field Level Media