Tipperary entrepreneur nets tennis legend Serena Williams for new venture

Declan Kelly's Consello Strive to operate in the specific areas of advisory, investing, content/ip and leadership development for both sport and non-sports organisations

Declan Kelly established the Madison Avenue-based Consello group early in 2022, which focuses on investing, merchant banking, corporate development and mergers and acquisitions,

A global business headed up by some of the biggest names in US sport is the latest venture launched by serial Irish entrepreneur Declan Kelly.

Consello Strive, a division of the Consello Group co-founded by Co Tipperary native Declan Kelly and NFL legend Tom Brady less than two years ago, will focus on the convergence of sports, entertainment and leadership development on one platform, a statement released by the company from its New York City headquarters said on Tuesday.

Joining the seven-time Superbowl champion Tom Brady and Kelly as founding partners in the new enterprise will be 23-time Grand Slam tennis champion Serena Williams and NBA Basketball Hall of Famer Pau Gasol, who will lead a team focused on expanding Consello Strive’s interests throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

Consello Strive will operate in the specific areas of advisory, investing, content/ip and leadership development for both sport and non-sports organisations.

The new company is also expected to announce a number of commercial partnership agreements with leading third-party industry participants and individuals as part of its rollout of Consello Strive around the world.

Announcing the new division, Consello Group founder, chairman and chief executive Declan Kelly said: “We believe that Consello Strive has the potential to change the entire global landscape of sports, entertainment and leadership development because of the opportunities that exist in the marketplace today and the unique experience, relationships and track record of the team we have assembled.” 

Serena Williams, who was previously linked to Consello in an advisory capacity, said she was excited to 'deepen my relationship with Consello' as a Consello Strive partner.

Tennis legend Serena Williams, who was previously linked to Consello in an advisory capacity, said she was excited to “deepen my relationship with Consello” as a Consello Strive partner. 

“The next chapter of my life will be as exciting and fulfilling as the last one, and I have no doubt that the team we have assembled here will help me do just that. I am also excited to help Consello Strive as a business to grow and expand around the world,” she said.

NFL star Tom Brady said Consello Strive would bring the very best in the world together to help advise people everywhere in the fields of sports and entertainment in ways that have never been done before.

He said: “I am especially passionate about the launch of our leadership development vertical because working with leaders to drive them to search for improvement in whatever they do is something my partners and I have been devoted to our entire careers.” 

Mr Kelly established the Madison Avenue-based Consello group early in 2022, which focuses on investing, merchant banking, corporate development and mergers and acquisitions. The group already has more than 100 employees and advisers, with offices in New York, London, Miami, Barcelona and Atlanta.

A co-founder of public relations firm Teneo, the 55-year old Mr Kelly resigned as chief executive of Teneo in June 2021 following allegations of his drunken misconduct at a Global Citizen fundraiser in May 2021.