Birmingham City owners set to branch out into rugby union - after buying stakes in cricket and netball
Birmingham City's owners are reportedly set to branch out into Rugby Union - amid interest in the sport from US investors.
Knighthead Capital Management, who took ownership of Blues back in 2023 - are one of a number of American investors looking at purchasing new franchises in Premiership Rugby.
On Friday, the Rugby Football Union are set to vote on proposals to ringfence a ten team 'Prem' with no promotion or relegation until 2030.
A number of clubs are going to be given the chance to apply - with New York-based merchant bank, The Raine Group, and Deloitte said to be interested.
And Knighthead are interested in purchasing a franchise to add to their multisport strategy, that has also seen it buy a 49 per cent share in the Birmingham Phoenix Hundred franchise and a majority share in Netball Super League club Birmingham Panthers.
Discussions are at an early stage - but according to reports, Knighthead believe there is a gap in the sport in the West Midlands, which has lacked a professional side since Coventry based Wasps went into administration in 2022.
Knighthead have already committed to spent between £2b and £3b on building a new 'sports quarter' for the city - which would include a 62,000-seat stadium and 15,000-capacity indoor arena.
