Gary Neville has sold a majority stake in his fast-growing media business The Overlap to radio giant Global, in a deal designed to turn the platform into a world-leading sports network.
The former Manchester United and England defender will continue to co-chair the business alongside Global Group chief executive Simon Pitts, after Global acquired the stake from previous investors Miroma Group.
The deal paves the way for a significant expansion in output, with The Overlap expected to produce a broader slate of shows and digital content while maintaining its core focus on football. Funds from the transaction will be reinvested directly into the business to accelerate growth.
Launched as a fan-first football platform, The Overlap has become one of the UK’s most successful sports media brands. Its flagship show, Stick to Football, is broadcast weekly on YouTube and features Neville alongside Jamie Carragher, Roy Keane, Ian Wright and Jill Scott. The programme has helped drive more than 38 million monthly views across The Overlap’s YouTube channels.
Beyond football, the business has already begun diversifying into other sports, producing fan-led debate formats, long-form interviews and podcasts covering cricket and rugby union. Under Global’s ownership, that remit is expected to widen further as the business evolves into what is being billed internally as “The Overlap Network”.
Neville said the growth of the platform had exceeded all expectations.
“The Overlap started as an idea that we thought people might like, and we went for it,” he said. “What has happened since then has been a great journey. We never thought of it as a business — we just wanted to create something people loved and would come back to every week.
“We see huge growth potential for The Overlap and are delighted to have found the perfect partner in Global to power us forward and create The Overlap Network, with the aim of becoming a world-leading football and sports media platform.”
Global is Europe’s largest commercial radio group, owning brands including Capital, LBC, Heart and Classic FM, alongside a major advertising and digital audio business. The company is expected to bring significant commercial, production and distribution expertise to The Overlap as it scales.
Simon Pitts said the acquisition reflected Global’s ambition to grow premium digital content brands beyond traditional radio.
“The Overlap is one of the UK’s most successful and dynamic sports entertainment brands, with a hugely exciting growth plan,” he said. “Gary and Scott have done an extraordinary job building the business, and we’re thrilled to be working together as we enter this next phase of growth.”
Scott Melvin will remain lead executive director of the business as The Overlap accelerates its expansion across platforms and formats.
