Knighthead Becomes Major Shareholder in Birmingham Panthers Netball Super League Team

BIRMINGHAM, England, March 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Knighthead Capital Management, LLC, on behalf of certain of its affiliates ("Knighthead"), is pleased to announce that it has acquired a significant ownership stake in the Netball Super League team, Birmingham Panthers. This investment further cements Knighthead's growing presence in Birmingham's sports landscape and underscores its commitment to fostering elite-level competition in the West Midlands.

Knighthead, the owners of Birmingham City Football Club, were also designated in February as the preferred private investor for a minority stake in The Hundred cricket franchise, Birmingham Phoenix. With this latest move, Knighthead continues to expand its influence across some of the UK's most beloved sports.

As a new entrant to the revamped 2025 Netball Super League, the Birmingham Panthers are part of an unprecedented wave of growth and enthusiasm for the sport across the city and the UK. Netball is enjoying a surge in popularity, with over three million people playing the game annually and a rapidly growing fanbase. The Super League's broadcast partnerships with BBC and Sky Sports are further elevating the sport's visibility, attracting younger audiences and expanding its reach.

The Panthers are Birmingham's first professional netball club and are led by Jo Trip, the youngest head coach in the league. Unlike traditional club models, the Panthers will play matches across the entire West Midlands, bringing elite netball to fans throughout the region and ensuring greater accessibility to top-tier competition. This success is part of the broader growth in recognition of women's sport, a trend Knighthead has already encouraged by prioritising support for the BCFC women's team.

Knighthead's investment in the Birmingham Panthers is a testament to its belief in the power of sport to unite communities and drive economic growth in the region.

"Our operations in Birmingham and the West Midlands are guided by the core principle that sport has a unique ability to bring people together," said Thomas Wagner, Co-Founder and Co-Managing Member of Knighthead Capital. "Netball is a sport on the rise and adding it to our portfolio is another step towards our ultimate ambition, a Sports Quarter that will promote investment and create jobs, growth and opportunities at an unprecedented scale in East Birmingham."

"We are absolutely thrilled to have Knighthead's support and belief in the Birmingham Panthers," said Alison Kay, Co-Founder of the Birmingham Panthers. "This partnership marks a significant step forward, not only for our club but for the growth of netball as a whole. Their support will allow us to strengthen our foundations, expand our reach, and inspire the next generation of players and fans. It's an exciting time for the sport, and we're eager to see the impact this collaboration will have on both our team and the wider netball community."

About Knighthead Capital Management LLC
Knighthead Capital Management, LLC ("Knighthead Capital") was co-founded in 2008 by Tom Wagner and Ara Cohen and has grown to become a diversified asset management platform with an experienced team of investment professionals, specializing in fundamental analysis, operational and financial turnarounds and risk management. Knighthead Capital's long-term objective is to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for its clients while emphasizing the preservation of capital. Knighthead Capital manages assets across a variety of investment vehicles including insurance asset management, real estate lending, and closed and open-ended vehicles.

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SOURCE Knighthead Capital Management, LLC