Global, one of Europe's largest commercial radio companies, has purchased a majority stake in The Overlap, the YouTube media business co-founded by former Manchester United defender Gary Neville. The deal aims to expand the channel into a multi-format sports media network, following the success of similar ventures like Gary Lineker's Goalhanger.
The Overlap, which launched in 2021, has become one of the UK's most popular football content channels, with over 38 million monthly views on YouTube and 2.2 billion views across all platforms in 2025. Its flagship show, Stick to Football, features pundits including Neville, Jamie Carragher, Roy Keane, Ian Wright, and Jill Scott.
Under the agreement, Neville will remain co-chair of the company. He described the journey as 'a great journey' and expressed delight at finding 'the perfect partner in Global' to create The Overlap Network, aiming to become a world-leading football and sports media platform. Global's CEO Simon Pitts praised the team's ambition and creativity, stating that Global Studios wants to be 'the home of the best audio and video brands on the planet.'
The Overlap already includes cricket, rugby, and US-focused channels, and plans to widen into a media network spanning multiple sports verticals, led by football. The deal highlights the growing influence of YouTube outlets in sports broadcasting, challenging traditional broadcasters.
