Latest news with #DeclanKelly
Irish Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
From Tipp to Salford via Wall Street: How businessman Declan Kelly joined the dream team
Six years ago, before Declan Kelly went into business with Tom Brady and Serena Williams and Ronan O'Gara and David Beckham and Gary Neville, before his takeover of Salford City, and before his soaring business career was temporarily derailed by scandal, he was part of Tipperary's secret sauce. After the final whistle in the 2019 All-Ireland hurling final Kelly materialised on the touchline in Croke Park, sporting an access-all-areas pink wristband, and a versatile sports coat and chinos, apt for a cocktail evening in the Hamptons or midtown Manhattan. Sponsors are not usually part of the post-match, on-field hootenanny, although JP McManus is another recent exception. In this case, Kelly and the Tipp manager Liam Sheedy were childhood friends. Growing up in Portroe in North Tipperary, Sheedy and Kelly were part of a thriving Scór scene, the GAA's cultural championships. Portroe had a tribal following on the village hall circuit and Sheedy and Kelly were a pair of fiery set dancers. READ MORE At the time of the 2019 All-Ireland Kelly was chairman and chief executive of Teneo, a global consultancy and communications firm he had founded at the beginning of the decade. He would have had the wherewithal to sponsor Tipperary long before then, but the timing of his intervention didn't need to be decoded: Sheedy had returned for a second spell as Tipp manager and Kelly swept in as his wing man. Between the sponsorship deal and ancillary fundraising, it was estimated that anything up to €350,000 had been generated for the team during the season, and once the All-Ireland was won the harvest continued. On a parallel track, Kelly was an active supporter of the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) from its inception and for many years played a pivotal role in their New York fundraising. Kelly's links to the GAA, though, are easily traced to his roots. How he came to build business connections with Brady, Williams, Beckham, Neville, O'Gara and others is a longer and more complex story. Teneo chief executive Declan Kelly at the homecoming for All-Ireland winners Tipperary at Semple Stadium in August 2019. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho Until now, sport had not been his business, though he drifted in and out of that world. In his early life as a business reporter, Kelly moonlighted as a hurling columnist in the Cork Examiner, as it was called then. The column bristled with inflammatory opinions that, from time to time, landed the Examiner in bad odour with the Cork county board. One memorable column, calling for Canon Michael O'Brien to be removed as Cork hurling manager in the early 1990s, ran under the pithy headline Fire The Canon. In the offices of the county board no marks were awarded for cute wordplay. [ Serena Williams to be advised on business interests by Declan Kelly's Consello Group Opens in new window ] Kelly left journalism in the mid-1990s to make his fortune, and for the next 25 years, his success was extraordinary. He set up a public relations company with Jackie Gallagher, another former reporter, which they built up and sold for more than €8 million. He was later involved in a management buyout in which Kelly and his partners acquired the business for €40 million before later selling it on for about seven times that amount. By the early 2000s he was spending more and more time in New York and in 2007 he was introduced to Hillary Clinton at an event hosted by the journalist and publisher Niall O'Dowd. A year later, when she made her first run for the White House, Kelly was one of her most prolific fundraisers, generating up to $3 million for her campaign. It started a relationship with the Clintons that blossomed over the next three or four years. When Hillary Clinton was made secretary of state in the Barack Obama administration, she appointed Kelly as her economic envoy to Northern Ireland. Over time, though, tensions arose, and the relationship cooled. In March 2012 Bill Clinton resigned his seat on Teneo's advisory board. The company continued to grow, regardless. In June 2019, three months before Tipp won the All-Ireland with Teneo's name on their shirts, they sold a majority stake to a private equity group for more than $350 million, which, according to the Wall Street Journal, put the company's worth at about $725 million. Two years later, though, the sky fell in. In a report by the Financial Times Kelly was accused of 'inappropriate behaviour' while in a 'drunken' state at a charity event. After a few days of irresistible pressure, he resigned from Teneo. In a statement full of contrition Kelly acknowledged that he 'behaved inappropriately towards some men and women at the event,' and that he had apologised to those he had offended. The statement also said that Kelly 'was committed to sobriety' and was receiving treatment. Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs at Salford City's stadium in February 2021. Photograph:People wondered how Kelly could recover from such reputational damage. The people who knew him best didn't wonder so much. Within months he founded Consello, an advisory and investing platform and among his original partners were former executives of Uber and Qualcomm. Then, in April 2022, they were joined by Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL. It was yet another demonstration of Kelly's extraordinary talent for networking and renewal. Over the last three years, Consello has acquired the services of blue-chip names from the wide world of sport: Williams, O'Gara, Neville, the two-time NBA winner Pau Gasol, the former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley. The relationship with Neville catalysed Kelly's latest project. At the beginning of the month Kelly, Neville and David Beckham took ownership of Salford City, the League Two side that was famously owned by Manchester United's Class of '92. Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Philip Neville owned 60 per cent of the club, but they have been bought out. Kelly is now co-chair of the club along with leading UK financier Lord Mervyn Davies. [ Irish businessman Declan Kelly teams up with Beckham and Neville to buy Salford City Football Club Opens in new window ] Another Wrexham? Since the Welsh club's Hollywood takeover by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham have secured three successive promotions and have landed in the Championship with their gaze fixed on the Premier League. On their return to the EFL, in League Two, they generated astonishing revenues of nearly €32 million. With Kelly, Salford are about to launch their own moon shot. This is not 'a vanity project', he said. Whatever people thought about him, he has always meant business. The next chapter will be fascinating.
South Wales Argus
08-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
I dream big – David Beckham and Gary Neville head consortium buying Salford
The former Manchester United stars are members of a consortium which also includes a US-based businessman, Declan Kelly, and Lord Mervyn Davies, and will take control with immediate effect. 'I will be over every big decision that's made and every little decision that's made,' Beckham told The Athletic. 'That's what my commitment is to Gary. It's what my commitment is to the club. Salford City announces that the Club has been acquired by a new ownership group led by David Beckham and Gary Neville, and includes US-based businessman Declan Kelly and Lord Mervyn Davies who will both serve as new Co-Chairs of the Club's board. — Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) May 8, 2025 'We're definitely not doing it for a laugh and it's also not for the romantic side of things. Yes, we care about the club — but we're doing it to win. We want Salford to be successful and we have had success, but then we want it to go on to the next level. 'I always dream big so I'm always going to want us to get to the pinnacle of football and be in the Premier League. But there's a lot of hard work and a lot of investment to be done up until that point.' Beckham first invested in Salford in January 2019, joining former 'Class of 92' team-mates Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt as a shareholder. Gary Neville bought out the stake of former co-owner Peter Lim last August. The club confirmed on Thursday that Phil Neville, Scholes, Giggs and Butt were no longer shareholders but would still be contributing 'with roles in the club across technical, football, commercial, recruitment and the SCFC foundation'. Kelly and Davies will serve as co-chairs on the club's board. Paul Scholes, left, and Nicky Butt are no longer shareholders of Salford but will still contrbute to the club under the new ownership group (Martin Rickett/PA) The club said the acquisition includes 'a commitment by the new shareholders to invest significantly in the club, the team and its facilities'. Salford missed out on the League Two play-offs by a single point, so will again play in English football's fourth tier next season. Kelly and Davies said in a joint statement: 'We have been close friends and partners for more than a decade and we look forward to partnering with David, Gary, this phenomenal new ownership group, the Class of '92 and everyone at SCFC to take this project to the next level and hopefully bring more success to Salford City's wonderful fan base, players and everyone associated with the club.' An advisory and investment firm, Consello, will lead the club's commercial strategy, with the club said to be 'looking forward to bringing on a series of commercial partners across the UK, US, Europe, and Asia'. Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds (right) and Rob McElhenney celebrate their promotion to the Championship (Martin Rickett/PA). Salford hope they can follow Wrexham's lead in attracting overseas interest and investment following the buyout of the Welsh club by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Since the takeover Wrexham have risen from the National League to the Championship, having achieved three successive promotions. Beckham added: 'We've all been inspired by what Ryan Reynolds has been doing at Wrexham and I'm not saying this is why we're doing it because it's not. 'But I've spoken to Ryan about it so many times now and he said the feeling around the city, the feeling around the club, is so exceptional. That's the kind of thing that we want to create.'
Glasgow Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
I dream big – David Beckham and Gary Neville head consortium buying Salford
The former Manchester United stars are members of a consortium which also includes a US-based businessman, Declan Kelly, and Lord Mervyn Davies, and will take control with immediate effect. 'I will be over every big decision that's made and every little decision that's made,' Beckham told The Athletic. 'That's what my commitment is to Gary. It's what my commitment is to the club. Salford City announces that the Club has been acquired by a new ownership group led by David Beckham and Gary Neville, and includes US-based businessman Declan Kelly and Lord Mervyn Davies who will both serve as new Co-Chairs of the Club's board. — Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) May 8, 2025 'We're definitely not doing it for a laugh and it's also not for the romantic side of things. Yes, we care about the club — but we're doing it to win. We want Salford to be successful and we have had success, but then we want it to go on to the next level. 'I always dream big so I'm always going to want us to get to the pinnacle of football and be in the Premier League. But there's a lot of hard work and a lot of investment to be done up until that point.' Beckham first invested in Salford in January 2019, joining former 'Class of 92' team-mates Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt as a shareholder. Gary Neville bought out the stake of former co-owner Peter Lim last August. The club confirmed on Thursday that Phil Neville, Scholes, Giggs and Butt were no longer shareholders but would still be contributing 'with roles in the club across technical, football, commercial, recruitment and the SCFC foundation'. Kelly and Davies will serve as co-chairs on the club's board. Paul Scholes, left, and Nicky Butt are no longer shareholders of Salford but will still contrbute to the club under the new ownership group (Martin Rickett/PA) The club said the acquisition includes 'a commitment by the new shareholders to invest significantly in the club, the team and its facilities'. Salford missed out on the League Two play-offs by a single point, so will again play in English football's fourth tier next season. Kelly and Davies said in a joint statement: 'We have been close friends and partners for more than a decade and we look forward to partnering with David, Gary, this phenomenal new ownership group, the Class of '92 and everyone at SCFC to take this project to the next level and hopefully bring more success to Salford City's wonderful fan base, players and everyone associated with the club.' An advisory and investment firm, Consello, will lead the club's commercial strategy, with the club said to be 'looking forward to bringing on a series of commercial partners across the UK, US, Europe, and Asia'. Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds (right) and Rob McElhenney celebrate their promotion to the Championship (Martin Rickett/PA). Salford hope they can follow Wrexham's lead in attracting overseas interest and investment following the buyout of the Welsh club by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Since the takeover Wrexham have risen from the National League to the Championship, having achieved three successive promotions. Beckham added: 'We've all been inspired by what Ryan Reynolds has been doing at Wrexham and I'm not saying this is why we're doing it because it's not. 'But I've spoken to Ryan about it so many times now and he said the feeling around the city, the feeling around the club, is so exceptional. That's the kind of thing that we want to create.'
News18
08-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Consortium Headlined By David Beckham, Gary Neville Acquire Salford City
Last Updated: The ownership group also includes American-based businessman Declan Kelly and Mervyn Davies, the chairman of Britain's Lawn Tennis Association. Salford City have been acquired by a new ownership group led by former England internationals David Beckham and Gary Neville, who were already investors in the club, the League Two (fourth-tier) side said on Thursday. The ownership group also includes American-based businessman Declan Kelly and Mervyn Davies, the chairman of Britain's Lawn Tennis Association. Salford said the acquisition includes a commitment to invest in the club, team and their facilities. Beckham and Neville had invested in the club along with other former Manchester United teammates Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Philip Neville. The other members of the so-called 'Class of '92' are no longer shareholders but will have roles at the club. 'I am passionate about Salford City. This is a unique partnership with a diverse range of minds and expertise, held together by a love of football," Gary Neville said in a statement. 'Football will come first, however it's critical that we drive the club towards sustainability in the next 4-5 years. I can't wait for the next part of this journey." Beckham, who grew up in Salford and also co-owns Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, said: 'Salford City is at the heart of its community … it has a rich history and I am delighted to be a part of the next chapter." Salford were taken over by members of the 'Class of '92' in 2014 along with Peter Lim, who is no longer a shareholder after Gary Neville acquired his stake last year. Since the takeover, the club have won four promotions in five years. They finished eighth in League Two this season, missing out on a playoff spot. The club have nine shareholders who also include Dream Sports Group, Colin Ryan, Frank Ryan, Nick Woodhouse and Shravin Mittal. First Published: May 08, 2025, 19:33 IST
RTÉ News
08-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Consello joins with David Beckham and Gary Neville on Salford City FC deal
Consello, the global advisory and investing company founded by Tipperary businessman Declan Kelly, has joined up with soccer legends David Beckham and Gary Neville to buy Salford City Football Club in the UK. The club will be led by David Beckham and Consello partner and Chairman of Consello Sports in the UK, Gary Neville, as well as new club co-chairs Declan Kelly and Lord Mervyn Davies, Chairman of LetterOne, Chairman of the Lawn Tennis Association and Chair of Consello's Advisory Board. Additional owners include Dream Sports Group (an Indian sports technology company), Colin Ryan (founder of Clipper Street Capital), Frank Ryan (Global Co-CEO, and Americas Chair of DLA Piper), Nick Woodhouse (Executive Vice Chairman of Authentic Brands Group), and Shravin Mittal (founder of Unbound). Declan Kelly said the new ownership group comprises some of the best in the world at what they do and has been put together for the sole purpose of driving the club forward. "Utilising the knowledge and skills of this group, our goal is to create a path to achieve new and sustainable success for SCFC both on and off the pitch," he added. Co-Chair Lord Mervyn Davies added that Consello has convened the right people at the right time to ensure that the club's "remarkable story" over the past decade can be maintained and built on. "When you combine the unmatched business and sport expertise of this group, the fans can look to the future of the club with confidence," he added.
