Global Acquires Majority Stake in Gary Neville’s The Overlap | Sports Podcast & Video Expansion

UK media powerhouse Global has officially acquired a majority stake in The Overlap, the fast-growing sports content company founded by former Manchester United captain and football pundit Gary Neville.

The strategic deal marks a pivotal step in Global’s broader ambition to dominate the sports podcasting and digital video ecosystem, while positioning The Overlap to scale faster across platforms, formats, and global audiences.

Gary Neville announces Global’s majority acquisition of The Overlap sports media company

📌 Key Highlights at a Glance

  • Global acquires a majority ownership in The Overlap
  • Gary Neville remains actively involved as co-chair
  • The partnership aims to build The Overlap Network
  • Focus on video-first content, podcasts, and branded entertainment
  • Global’s advertising arm DAX to power monetization
  • Miroma Group exits ownership following the deal
  • The Overlap recorded 2.2 billion views in 2025

From Football Icon to Media Powerhouse: Gary Neville’s Digital Journey

Gary Neville’s post-football career has been nothing short of remarkable. From punditry and business investments to activism and now media ownership, Neville has steadily built a reputation as a forward-thinking entrepreneur.

Founded in 2021, The Overlap started as a conversation-driven football podcast. Within four years, it evolved into one of the world’s most influential sports media brands, attracting millions of fans across YouTube, social media, and audio platforms.

Rapid Growth in Numbers

This growth made The Overlap an attractive acquisition target for media groups seeking scalable, talent-led sports content.

Why Global’s Investment Matters

Global is no ordinary investor. As the parent company of major brands like Capital, Heart, LBC, and DAX, Global brings unmatched scale in distribution, advertising, and audience analytics.

By acquiring a majority stake, Global signals its intent to aggressively expand beyond traditional radio into video podcasts, long-form digital storytelling, and creator-led media networks.

Strategic Objectives Behind the Deal

The Birth of The Overlap Network

At the heart of the partnership lies the creation of The Overlap Network—a multi-brand, multi-platform sports media ecosystem.

This network will house:

With Global’s infrastructure, The Overlap Network is expected to scale internationally at speed.

Global Studios: The Engine Powering the Expansion

The acquisition closely follows the launch of Global Studios, Global’s newly formed audio-visual production arm.

What Global Studios Offers Creators

According to Global Group CEO Simon Pitts, the goal is clear:

“We want Global Studios to be the home of the best audio and video brands on the planet.”

The Overlap is among the first major brands to anchor this vision.

Leadership Structure After the Acquisition

Despite selling a majority stake, Gary Neville remains deeply involved in shaping the company’s future.

Updated Governance Model

This leadership continuity ensures that The Overlap retains its authentic voice while benefiting from Global’s corporate muscle.

Miroma Group Exits as Ownership Evolves

As part of the strategic investment process, Miroma Group—a former stakeholder in The Overlap—has officially exited its ownership position.

This move streamlines the shareholder structure and aligns the company with Global’s long-term growth roadmap.

Content That Resonates: Why The Overlap Works

One of The Overlap’s biggest strengths lies in its fan-first approach. Rather than chasing headlines, the brand focuses on meaningful conversations, cultural relevance, and authenticity.

Flagship Shows Under The Overlap Umbrella

The shows thrive on opinionated but respectful dialogue—something increasingly rare in modern sports media.

Monetization at Scale: The Role of DAX

Global’s digital advertising exchange DAX will play a central role in monetizing The Overlap’s content.

What DAX Brings to the Table

This ensures The Overlap can grow revenue without compromising editorial integrity.

Inspired by Goalhanger’s Success Model

Industry observers have already drawn parallels between The Overlap and Goalhanger, the podcast company founded by Gary Lineker.

Goalhanger’s “The Rest Is…” franchise demonstrated how personality-led content, when backed by strong distribution and commercial strategy, can dominate the podcast charts.

Global appears keen to replicate—and possibly surpass—that success with The Overlap Network.

What This Means for the Sports Media Industry

This acquisition reflects a broader shift in how sports content is produced and consumed.

Industry Trends at Play

Global’s investment places it squarely at the center of these changes.

Gary Neville on the Future of The Overlap

Neville expressed optimism about the partnership, highlighting alignment in vision and values.

“We see huge growth potential for The Overlap and are delighted to have found the perfect partner in Global to power us forward.”

His comments underline a long-term ambition to build not just shows—but a lasting sports media institution.

What’s Next for The Overlap?

Looking ahead, audiences can expect:

The focus remains on community, conversation, and credibility.

Final Thoughts: A Defining Moment for Digital Sports Media

Global’s majority acquisition of The Overlap represents more than a business deal—it signals a new chapter in sports storytelling.

By combining talent-led authenticity with corporate-scale infrastructure, the partnership sets a blueprint for the future of digital media.

For fans, creators, and advertisers alike, The Overlap Network could soon become one of the most influential sports media destinations in the world.

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