Gary Neville has teamed up with Manchester United figure Mark Goldbridge following The Overlap's announcement that they have acquired his YouTube channels. Goldbridge's platforms, The United Stand and That's Football, have been snapped up by Neville's firm in a transaction reportedly valued in seven figures.
The Overlap was established by Neville in 2021 and is most recognised for its weekly podcast Stick to Football, which stars the former United defender, Roy Keane, Ian Wright, Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott and guests. The business offloaded a majority shareholding to media powerhouse Global earlier this year and has now expanded into YouTube. Goldbridge's channels boast a combined 3.7m subscribers and the individual behind them, whose actual name is Brent Di Cesare, has emerged as a prominent figure on social media.
The collaboration between Goldbridge and Neville is a fascinating development, considering their previous exchanges. Goldbridge is renowned for his passionate and entertaining outbursts about all matters United and has formerly attacked Neville, while the ex-defender has denounced "those bloody YouTubers".
That is now all water under the bridge, given there is money to be made in the booming YouTube media landscape. "Mark has criticised me more than most, but we don't have to agree," Neville told Broadcast Sport. "He knows what he does and he's got to carry on criticising me. That's how the world works."
The Guardian reports the deal is valued at 'a seven-figure sum'. It will result in The United Stand and That's Football being rebranded with fresh content. The United Stand will feature Stick To United, a format showcasing former players and journalists, alongside The Daily United, a dedicated news programme.
Neville has indicated there is more to come, with The Overlap looking to acquire further YouTube channels. "[We] need to go into discussions with other channels, but we're not in a rush," he said. "We'll wait for the right opportunities in the next six, 12, 18 months. I don't think of it as a media empire."
The 51-year-old revealed he recognised the need for The Overlap to grow following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim by United in early January. He had met Goldbridge the previous month and the deal came together swiftly thereafter.
"We are building what we believe will become one of the most exciting Independent football communities in the world – one that gives fans direct, personality-led content," he said.
"The United Stand and That's Football are two of the best-known football channels on YouTube, and our intention is to develop them into the most compelling Manchester United and football news channels in the market."
Goldbridge said: "I've spent the last 10 years building The United Stand for Manchester United fans and That's Football for all fans, and I'm prouder of that than anything I've ever done.
"This deal is about what comes next. The Overlap has the ambition, the credibility, and the resources to help me take what I do to the next level."