In a significant move highlighting the shifting landscape of sports media, European broadcasting powerhouse Global has acquired a majority stake in The Overlap, the popular YouTube channel co-founded by former Manchester United defender Gary Neville.
A Strategic Play for Digital Sports Dominance
The deal, confirmed this week, sees Global – the owner of radio stations like LBC and podcasts such as The News Agents – take a controlling interest in the football-focused content network. Gary Neville and his original co-founder Scott Melvin will remain central to the operation, with Neville staying on as co-chair.
Global's strategy is clear: to replicate the remarkable success of Goalhanger, the podcast network founded by fellow former footballer Gary Lineker. Goalhanger's stable of shows, including the chart-topping "The Rest Is..." series, has set a new benchmark for sports-related digital content.
Since its launch in 2021, The Overlap has rapidly become one of the UK's most influential football channels. The company reports staggering metrics, including more than 38 million monthly views on YouTube and a colossal 2.2 billion views across all platforms in 2025.
Expanding a Football Media Empire
The Overlap's flagship show, 'Stick to Football', features a formidable line-up of punditry talent. Neville is regularly joined by fellow analysts Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott, Roy Keane, and Ian Wright, often alongside high-profile guests from the world of sport.
The channel has made headlines for its uncompromising content, from Roy Keane's famously astringent opinions to candid interviews with stars like Dele Alli and Wayne Rooney. Ian Wright's comments on the treatment of Jude Bellingham also generated significant media attention.
This acquisition underscores a broader trend of former sports professionals leveraging new media. Neville, who also co-founded the production company Buzz 16 in 2017, has successfully transitioned from punditry on traditional broadcasters like Sky Sports to building a direct digital connection with fans.
Work is now underway to transform The Overlap from a single channel into a "multi-format sports media network." While it already includes content on cricket, rugby, and the US sports scene, the ambition is to create a wider network "spanning multiple brands and channels across sports verticals, led by football."
YouTube's Challenge to Traditional Broadcasters
This deal is the latest evidence of YouTube's growing influence in sports broadcasting, posing a rapid and serious challenge to established television networks. The platform's reach across all age groups, particularly for sports discussion and analysis, is now undeniable.
The Overlap has even begun moving into live broadcasting, recently securing rights to show the German Bundesliga, which it shares with the BBC and another YouTube channel, That's Football.
Simon Pitts, Global's Group Chief Executive, praised the acquisition: "Gary and Scott have done an extraordinary job building The Overlap and we’re thrilled to welcome them and their fantastic team to Global as we embark on this next phase of growth together." He added that the channel's "ambition, creativity and unrivalled connection with fans" made it a perfect fit for Global Studios' ambition to host the world's best audio and video brands.
Reflecting on the journey, Gary Neville stated: "The Overlap started as an idea that we thought people might like... We never thought of it as a business, we just wanted to create something that people loved." He expressed confidence in the partnership with Global to power the creation of "a world-leading football and sports media platform."
