Birmingham City Sells Women's Team to Ownership Group

Former England star Karen Carney and tennis legend Kim Clijsters acquire minority stake

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Birmingham City have announced the sale of their women's team to their ownership group, Shelby Companies Limited, along with several independent investors, including former England international Karen Carney and former women's world No.1 tennis player Kim Clijsters, who have acquired a minority share of the club.

Why it matters

This move represents the latest example of a club selling their women's team to their ownership group, a trend aimed at boosting revenue and ensuring compliance with profitability and sustainability rules. It also highlights the growing investment and interest in women's football.

The details

Shelby Companies Limited, the holding company through which Knighthead Capital Management controls Birmingham City, has acquired 97% of Birmingham City Women FC. The remaining 3% has been purchased by 'several prominent female business leaders and global professional icons', including Carney and Clijsters.

  • Birmingham City Women FC currently sit second in the Women's Super League 2, the second-tier of English women's football.
  • A 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday night has put City's hopes of automatic promotion under threat, with just one point separating them from Palace and three points separating them from Bristol City and Newcastle United.
  • The third-placed team in the WSL2 will face a one-off play-off match against the last-placed WSL side for the final place in the top-flight next season.

The players

Shelby Companies Limited

The holding company through which Knighthead Capital Management controls Birmingham City.

Karen Carney

Former England international who has acquired a minority share in Birmingham City Women FC.

Kim Clijsters

Former women's world No.1 tennis player who has acquired a minority share in Birmingham City Women FC.

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What’s next

The third-placed team in the WSL2 will face a one-off play-off match against the last-placed WSL side for the final place in the top-flight next season.

The takeaway

This sale highlights the growing trend of clubs selling their women's teams to their ownership groups, a move aimed at boosting revenue and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. It also showcases the increasing investment and interest in women's football, with high-profile figures like Karen Carney and Kim Clijsters acquiring minority stakes in the sport.