Birmingham US-funded boss: We must do our best to protect the top Premier League teams and not get too much money from them

October 2: As negotiations on redistribution of wealth within the English Football League continue, Birmingham owner Tom Wagner said low-level league clubs should not ask for too much from top Premier League teams.

Amid the background of government pressure, negotiations on the sharing of Premier League revenues within the football pyramid system continue, and a new independent football regulator is being formed. The bill to establish the regulator became law in July and the agency would have the reserved power to force an agreement if it fails to reach an agreement. The Premier League argued that English football can self-manage and said regulators would have “unprecedented, untested powers to interfere with their income distribution” and would “negatively impact the competitiveness and investment of world-class talents”.

And Tom Wagner from the United States said in a speech at the London Leader's Week series of events in 2025: "I think the top clubs in English football must be protected at all costs. We cannot take too much from the top clubs to support the football pyramid system."

"If the top teams no longer dominate internationally, I mean, no longer have the best players and products, then interest will weaken, especially from the US market, which will drive interest and capital flows. Enter the football field. "

"I love this pyramid system, and we have a deep understanding of it, but those very successful top clubs have huge brand value and attract attention. We hope this attention can help the entire pyramid system grow."

Birmingham, which has received a lot of US investment support since 2023, is one of the richest clubs in the English Football League (EFL, managing the English Championship, English League One, English League Two). They won a record 111 points when they advanced from English League One to the English Championship last season.

Birmingham spent £25 million in the League One last season to strengthen the transfer, exceeding the combined transfer expenses of other clubs in the league. Birmingham is one of the most expensive clubs in the EFL, with Welsh club Wrexham's bosses involved in a consortium including Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds. 11 of the 20 Premier League teams have U.S. bosses, and a two-thirds majority may unite them to vote for major changes in the sport, including the controversial overseas round 39.

Wagner had previously told BBC Sports that he was willing to discuss options for playing overseas games outside the regular season, but at the same time he needed to "walk tightropes" to avoid angering local fans.

He added: "There are two clubs owned by American owners in the Championship, and our game was very good when it was broadcast in the United States. I think what we can do internationally is just getting started, which is very exciting."

The co-founder of Knighthead Asset Management also spoke in detail about the development plan for the sports district in Birmingham, which includes a proposed 62,000-seat multi-purpose stadium. The club believes that the stadium will make Birmingham more a football destination, as it is illogical for people to keep heading to London and Manchester but skip Birmingham.

Wagner also said he would welcome local opponents in Birmingham to succeed on the court. He said: "I respect the pain of fans enjoying their city rivals, but if I am against Villa or Wolves in our neighborhood, then I am against the Birmingham area clubs and reduce the quality of Birmingham football."

"Manchester United and Manchester City are two great clubs in the same city, and London has many great city opponents, so why don't we want Birmingham to increase attention as well?"

Wagner also explained that he and his colleagues have no interest in multi-club ownership, and they have explored the possibility of investing in a London club minority stake before investing in Birmingham, but think it's overvalued.