Former Premier League club’s state-of-the-art new stadium set to have ‘seismic’ impact and could host NFL matches

BIRMINGHAM CITY Chief Executive Officer Garry Cook says the club’s new stadium project will make a “seismic,” impact on the city’s global reputation.

And part of the Championship club’s blueprint could involve staging NFL games in Birmingham, with NFL legend Tom Brady now an investor in the club.

Blues’ parent company Knighthead has announced plans to build a world-class stadium and vibrant Sports Quarter after acquiring a 48-acre site in East Birmingham.

It is part of an ambitious blueprint to give Birmingham City a new state-of-the-art stadium and training facilities for all of their teams at the former Wheels site on Bordesley Park.

Central to the project will be a new 40,000 – 60,000 capacity stadium, capable of staging major international sporting events.

And with seven-time Super Bowl champion Brady, Chairman of the club’s Advisory Board, there is every chance of NFL matches being staged in Birmingham.

Brett Gosper, the NFL Head of Europe and Asia Pacific, said: “It’s a great destination and obviously has a great heritage in sport.

“UK fans are pretty lucky because we play more games here than in any other country.

“We are already committed to two games each year over the next decade.

“That deal is with the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and of course the Jags play at Wembley as well.

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“So three games each year for the UK public is a great number of football matches for this country to see.

“We’ve heard plans of Birmingham City building a new stadium. When the time comes I’m sure we’ll take a look at this as a potential route.

“We like the fact that if new stadiums are being built there, they’re built in a way that can accommodate NFL games.” 

Caretaker boss Gary Rowett is currently battling to prevent City from tumbling into League One.

However, the club’s American owner Tom Wagner, continues to think big and said: “When we invested in Birmingham City, we made it very clear that we had an ambitious vision to transform the experience for our fans and make a positive contribution to the growth and vitality of the city of Birmingham.

“The acquisition of the former Wheels site is an important next step in making this a reality.

“The plans for the Sports Quarter will bring global interest to our Club and to Birmingham as a whole.

“It is going to transform the future of our Men’s, Women’s and Academy teams, and the fortunes of the community that we call home.”

City CEO Cook said: “Our owners have an ambition that is greater than anything this Club has ever seen, and when we deliver it the impact on the global reputation of Birmingham will be seismic.”

Birmingham City Council leader, Cllr John Cotton, said: “This is a huge moment for everyone associated with Birmingham City FC, and I’m sure Knighthead’s ambitious vision will excite Blues fans everywhere.

“Hopefully, this is the first step on a journey to Birmingham once again being home to two Premier League football clubs.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk