Former Birmingham City defender Jonathan Spector has provided a detailed analysis of the contrasting ownership models at his old club and at Wrexham, highlighting how both American-led projects are capturing attention on different sides of the Atlantic.
Spector's Birmingham Career and Perspective
Jonathan Spector, who earned 36 caps for the United States national team and played in the 2010 World Cup, brings a unique transatlantic viewpoint. The defender spent five and a half seasons at St Andrew's after joining on a free transfer from West Ham United in 2011, following the club's relegation.
He made a total of 179 appearances for Birmingham, experiencing Europa League football and becoming a Championship stalwart. Spector left for Orlando City in 2017 before a brief stint with Hibernian in Scotland, retiring in 2019. He remains an keen observer of the Blues' progress.
Two American Models, One Championship Goal
Both clubs achieved emphatic promotion to the Championship last season under US-based ownership. Birmingham City is controlled by Tom Wagner's Knighthead Capital Management LLC through its affiliate Shelby Companies Limited, with NFL legend Tom Brady holding a minority stake.
Their publicly stated ambition is to return Birmingham to the Premier League after a 15-year absence. Despite some early missteps, their long-term vision for sporting and commercial success has largely won over supporters.
Meanwhile, Wrexham, under actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has undergone a remarkable transformation. They have secured three consecutive promotions from 2022 to 2025, a historic feat, ending a 15-year exile from the Football League.
Documentary Impact and American Audience Appeal
The journeys of both clubs have been documented in high-profile streaming series—Birmingham on Amazon Prime and Wrexham on Disney+. Their simultaneous rise has inevitably sparked comparisons.
Spector notes that both are building a profile in the United States, but in distinct ways. "I'd almost say what they're doing at Wrexham... is a little bit different," he told BirminghamWorld via UniBet. "They've sort of really captured the interest of the American public."
Regarding Birmingham's appeal, he pointed to the power of a global icon: "I certainly think more people are aware, because Tom Brady is such a big name and someone who's been so successful, albeit in a different sport."
While Spector admits he has watched 'Welcome to Wrexham' but not yet the Birmingham documentary, he speculates on Brady's primary motivation. "Hard to speak for him, but just knowing how competitive he obviously is, I think it's more the sporting side," Spector said, suggesting on-field success is the ultimate driver, even as commercial projects like documentaries run alongside.
The analysis from the former USA international underscores how two clubs with American investment are carving their own paths in the competitive landscape of English football, each leveraging celebrity and narrative to engage fans at home and abroad.
