Welcome to Sideline Moves, Insider Sport’s new weekly roundup spotlighting the key moves shaping the business of sport.
Every Friday, we bring you the latest executive appointments, strategic hires, boardroom shifts, and behind-the-scenes deals from across the global sports industry – all in one place.
Tom Brady announces Birmingham City docuseries
NFL icon and Birmingham City minority owner Tom Brady is stepping into the world of English football storytelling with a new documentary series titled Built In Birmingham: Brady & the Blues.
Announced on July 10 and set to premiere globally on Amazon Prime Video on August 1, the five-part series offers a behind-the-scenes look at the club’s transformation under new ownership, including Brady, Knighthead Capital’s Tom Wagner, and head coach Chris Davies.
According to a release, viewers can expect everything from relegation battles and managerial changes to a record-breaking campaign that ended with promotion to the Championship.
Executive produced by Peaky Blinders creator and Blues supporter Steven Knight, the series is backed by production companies Religion of Sports and Whisper, with Matt Alvarez also serving as executive producer.
This marks Brady’s third collaboration with Religion of Sports Co-Founder Gotham Chopra, following Tom vs. Time and Man in the Arena, though this time Brady finds himself in the boardroom, not on the pitch.
The parallels between Birmingham City and AFC Wrexham continue to grow. Just as Wrexham captured global attention with its Welcome to Wrexham series on Netflix, Birmingham City will be hoping to replicate that success.
Andy Anson to step down as British Olympic Association CEO
British Olympic Association (BOA) CEO Andy Anson has shared his decision to step down in October 2025, ending a 14-year run with the organisation that began in 2011.
Revealed on July 10, Anson has served as CEO since 2019, helping steer Team GB through a successful period which included 60-plus medal hauls at both the delayed Tokyo 2020 and the recent Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
His leadership was also tested through one of the hardest periods for sports, the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Andy’s tenure at the BOA is one that he can look back on with immense pride,” said BOA Chair Katherine Grainger. “He leaves with the gratitude of all of us – Board members, his wider team and of course the athletes who he and his team have served and supported so well.”
Anson departs to join mid-market private equity firm bd-capital. He will remain in the sports industry, sitting on the board of Science in Sport to help shape future investments in the sports sector.
“I am proud to have led an organisation that I love and care for,” said Anson. “Olympic sport is so important to our country, and I hope I leave it in a better place today.
“Commercially, we have enjoyed our best ever period of success and sustained growth and with that we have been able to build a financially stable organisation, fit for the future.”
Anson will remain in post until October, with a recruitment process now underway to identify his successor.
John Martin takes helm at PFL to fuel media growth
John Martin has been named the new CEO of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), announced July 10.
Martin steps into the position with decades of experience leading major media and sports companies, such as Turner, which operates TNT, TBS, CNN and Turner Sports. He held roles at Time Warner, which includes Warner Bros, HBO, Turner LLC, Time Inc. and Time Warner Cable.
For Martin, this role combines two of his passions: media and MMA. He is a passionate MMA practitioner, holding a black belt in karate and a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has competed in numerous amateur tournaments.
“MMA represents the biggest opportunity in sports, and the PFL has secured a unique position that will never be replicated. I’m incredibly excited about the future of the PFL and confident that we’re only at the beginning of what this organisation will achieve,” said Martin.
“My two greatest passions are leading media companies and MMA, so stepping into the position of PFL CEO is truly a dream role for me.”
Peter Murray will transition to CEO of PFL International, leading global expansion efforts while reporting directly to Martin.
Chiellini joins star-studded LAFC ownership group
Giorgio Chiellini has become the latest former player to transition into club leadership, joining LAFC’s ownership group.
Announced July 8, this move from the pitch into the boardroom follows his retirement from commanding defences in 2023.
He is most known for his time at Juventus, where he won nine Serie A titles. However, it was LAFC in the MLS where he spent his final moments as a player.
During this time, he played a key role in getting the club to a 2022 MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield double and featured prominently during the club’s 2023 campaign, which included another MLS Cup appearance and a Concacaf Champions Cup final.
After retiring, Chiellini remained with LAFC in 2024 as a player development coach, a role that allowed him to support the first team while gaining experience off the pitch. He is also currently serving as director of football strategy at Juventus.
The Italian will now work alongside the likes of Magic Johnson and Will Ferrell as part of the ownership group, positioning the US club to benefit from a wide range of commercial and sporting expertise.
“Joining the LAFC ownership group is a great honour for me,” Chiellini said.
“When I arrived here three years ago as a player, I immediately felt that there was something special about this club. It is an ambitious organisation, built by extraordinary people and supported by a community that truly makes you feel at home.
“That is why, last year, I expressed my desire to become an owner, and now I’m proud to continue this journey and give my support to a project I deeply believe in.”
We’re spotlighting the movers and shakers shaping the sports business every Friday.
Submit your people moves to Insider Sport’s Editor, Rachael Kennedy, at [email protected] and be featured in Sideline Moves.
Catch up on last week’s Sideline Moves to hear what’s happening off the court at Wimbledon, click HERE to read!
