Birmingham City Football Club Appoints Stephen Haines as Chief Commercial Officer New Revenue Streams

Haines brings decades of global operational leadership from Meta, Yahoo, and Viacom to Birmingham City

BIRMINGHAM CITY, England, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Birmingham City Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Haines as Chief Commercial Officer New Revenue Streams, effective immediately. Haines brings with him nearly three decades of experience leading commercial strategy, brand partnerships, and global expansion at some of the world's most transformative companies. He joins Birmingham City at a pivotal moment, as the Club accelerates its evolution both on and off the pitch following its promotion to the Championship.

His arrival also comes as the Club advances plans for the transformative Birmingham Sports Quarter — a multi-billion-pound regeneration project that will include a new 60,000-seat stadium, cutting-edge training facilities, and a revitalized sporting and cultural district.

Haines previously spent sixteen years at Meta (formerly Facebook), where he was among the company's first international hires and played a pivotal role in its global expansion. He led the establishment of Facebook's first overseas office, drove the development of high-impact commercial partnerships across international markets, and was instrumental in launching Instagram's advertising business, securing its first multi-million-dollar global deal.

At Birmingham City, Haines will oversee the Club's new commercial opportunities.

"Stephen is a world-class operator who excels at building relationships, developing new opportunities, and navigating complex deal structures," said BCFC CEO, Jeremy Dale. "We're thrilled to welcome him to Birmingham City as we continue to build the senior leadership team that will deliver both our global ambition and local pride."

Stephen's appointment is part of the continued evolution of the Club under Knighthead's ownership, building on a foundation of progress, modernization, and a deep commitment to community and performance.

In addition to Meta, Haines has also held senior roles at Yahoo and Viacom, where he was widely recognized for pioneering digital advertising strategies and shaping the early evolution of the global media landscape. 

"It's an honor to join Birmingham City at such an exciting and transformative time," said Haines. "Football has always been a personal passion, and I'm energized by the opportunity to bring innovation, creativity, and additional ambition to a Club with such a rich history and incredibly bright future."

Media Contact:
teamknighthead@jonesworks.com 

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SOURCE Knighthead Capital Management, LLC