{"id":51005,"date":"2025-04-26T02:43:10","date_gmt":"2025-04-26T02:43:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/51005\/"},"modified":"2025-04-26T02:43:10","modified_gmt":"2025-04-26T02:43:10","slug":"tom-wagner-calls-threat-to-birmingham-city-sports-quarter-a-crime-in-300m-plea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/51005\/","title":{"rendered":"Tom Wagner calls threat to Birmingham City Sports Quarter \u2018a crime\u2019 in \u00a3300m plea"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Birmingham City owners Knighthead plan to build a Sports Quarter in the heart of the Second City<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0_JS345526618-1.jpg\" alt=\"Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner \" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Verdict&#8230; Blues chairman Tom Wagner <\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Tom Wagner says it would be \u2018a crime against the city of Birmingham&#8217; if it was denied its Sports Quarter over inadequate transport links.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">American investment firm <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/knighthead-capital-management\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Knighthead,Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Knighthead,<\/a> which is headed up by <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/tom-wagner\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Wagner,Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Wagner,<\/a> took control of <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/birmingham-city-fc\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Birmingham CityLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Birmingham City<\/a> two years ago with the idea of building a state-of-the-art Sports Quarter in the heart of the city centre.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Just over 12 months ago, Knighthead bought around 60 acres of land in east <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Birmingham<\/a> to house a 60,000-seater stadium, training facilities for all of its teams and recreational spaces.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">But a spade has yet to be put in the ground, mainly because Wagner\u2019s pleas for the Government to fund transport links between the site and the city centre haven\u2019t been actioned.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">According to <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes.com\/sport\/football\/article\/tom-wagner-birmingham-city-tom-brady-smhbfkxms\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"The Times,Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">The Times,<\/a> the update to transport links would cost the cash-strapped local Government between \u00a3200m and \u00a3300m.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u201cWithout that it would be impossible for us to proceed \u2014 we can\u2019t build something that no one can get to,\u201d says Wagner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u201cWe were presented with an opportunity to build a stadium with accommodation, office space and, most importantly, a training ground for the men\u2019s and women\u2019s first teams and the entire academy, in one place inside the city limits. That is an extraordinary opportunity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u201cBy building all of those critical elements of the club one kilometre from the centre of the city, it becomes embedded into the community of Birmingham.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u201cWe\u2019re dropping that investment into the middle of one of the most deprived areas in the country. I think there\u2019s a moral imperative to invest into an area like that and to have an opportunity such as the one I just described and not pursue it would be a crime against the city of Birmingham.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Do you think Wagner might have to find alternative means to sort out the transport issue? Have your say <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/sport\/football\/football-news\/tom-wagner-birmingham-sports-quarter-31511705#comments-wrapper\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"HERELink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a>Get the latest Blues headlines sent straight to your phone<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">BirminghamLive has its very own <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/birmingham-city-fc\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Birmingham CityLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Birmingham City<\/a> WhatsApp community to deliver the latest headlines straight to your phone. Just <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/B9XQh6yFkASKxe76buz3SU\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"click this linkLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">click this link<\/a> to receive daily Blues content and breaking news. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. Click on the name at the top of your screen while in WhatsApp and click &#8216;Exit Group&#8217;. Read our <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reachplc.com\/site-services\/privacy-policy\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Everyday, the BirminghamLive football desk strive to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Birmingham City content.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Our dedicated reporters Alex Dicken and Brian Dick &#8211; you can follow Alex on X <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/alexedicken\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"hereLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\">here<\/a> and Brian <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/briandick\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"hereLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\">here<\/a> &#8211; follow Blues around the country and they offer you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">So much happens day to day and sometimes you can struggle to keep on top of the very latest updates as and when they occur &#8211; that&#8217;s why we have produced a daily newsletter which you can sign up to, for free, and which means you&#8217;ll have a round-up of the key stories land in your email inbox. Sign up to the Blues newsletter <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/newsletter-preference-centre\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"hereLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">You can also get all your favourite content from BirminghamLive&#8217;s Blues team on WhatsApp. Click <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/B9XQh6yFkASKxe76buz3SU\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"hereLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a> to sign up for breaking updates about the biggest stories and insight from in and around the club.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">If you prefer reading our Blues stories on your phone, consider downloading the BirminghamLive app, in which you can personalise the content you see by selecting Blues as one of your designated topics. You can get it from Apple <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=76202X1531042&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.apple.com%2Fgb%2Fapp%2Fbirmingham-live%2Fid662307361&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birminghammail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Ftransfer-news%2Fstevenage-v-birmingham-city-how-31500094\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"hereLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a> and for Android <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.birmingham.news&amp;hl=en_GB\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"hereLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Our weekly Birmingham City podcast, Keep Right On, is also available to watch and listen on all major streaming services. You can subscribe to the YouTube channel here, while you can access the podcast on Spotify <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/7i6yWhYxM6D2zuxvZdC8t4#:~:text=Welcome%20to%20the%20home%20of,occasional%20special%20guests%20and%20features.\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"hereLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a> and via Apple <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=76202X1531042&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fgb%2Fpodcast%2Fkeep-right-on-a-birmingham-city-podcast%2Fid1707571179&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birminghammail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Ftransfer-news%2Fstevenage-v-birmingham-city-how-31500094\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"hereLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Birmingham City owners Knighthead plan to build a Sports Quarter in the heart of the Second CityVerdict&#8230; Blues&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":51006,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7820],"tags":[855,1205,748,393,4884,8159,8161,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-51005","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-birmingham","8":"tag-birmingham","9":"tag-birmingham-city-fc","10":"tag-britain","11":"tag-england","12":"tag-great-britain","13":"tag-knighthead-capital-management","14":"tag-tom-wagner","15":"tag-uk","16":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114401968320474049","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51005","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51005"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51005\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51006"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51005"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51005"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51005"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}