Gary Lineker is expanding his media empire with the launch of a new venture capital arm that will plough money into popular YouTube channels.
Goalhanger, the podcast company co-founded by the former England footballer, on Tuesday unveiled an equity investment in Invisible Media, which is behind the economics and geopolitics channel The Invisible Hand, as well as a commercial partnership with cricket creator brand Backyard Cricket.
The launch of Goalhanger Ventures marks the latest expansion of Lineker’s digital media empire, which has cashed in on the success of its podcast franchises, including The Rest Is History and The Rest Is Politics.
It suggests Goalhanger is now setting its sights on start-up media businesses as YouTube continues to scoop up audiences.
Invisible Media, which was founded by Charlie Tymon, 26, has built a large following among young audiences for its explainer videos covering economics, business, geopolitics and culture.
Its flagship channel, The Invisible Hand, breaks down topics ranging from global trade and monetary policy to power politics and corporate strategy in popular “video essays”, typically running for around 20 minutes.
Since launching in 2023, it has amassed more than 250,000 YouTube subscribers and over 35 million views.
Goalhanger said its investment would support the company’s next phase of growth, including specialist formats such as The Invisible Game, which examines the hidden economics behind everyday decisions and industries.
Going to bat
Mr Lineker’s company has also struck a partnership with Backyard Cricket, the social media brand created by Yorkshire brothers James and Mark Wood.
Beginning with informal cricket challenges filmed in their family garden during lockdown, the pair have since built a global audience through trick shots, match simulations, comedy sketches and collaborations with professional players.
Backyard Cricket has generated more than 165 million views and attracted hundreds of thousands of followers across social media platforms.
Under the agreement, Goalhanger will provide funding and strategic support spanning production, sponsorship, merchandise and longer-form video projects, while editorial control remains with the creators.
Goalhanger’s move into venture capital comes months after the company launched an incubator programme providing investment, mentoring and commercial support to emerging digital talent.
It also follows the company’s first external funding deal. In January, Goalhanger sold a minority stake to The Chernin Group, a Los Angeles-based investment firm founded by Hollywood mogul Peter Chernin.
Goalhanger, founded by Tony Pastor and Jack Davenport alongside Mr Lineker, has grown rapidly on the back of booming demand for podcasts and live events.
More than 250,000 paying subscribers now generate an estimated £15m a year in membership revenues, while the network recorded over 750 million episode views and streams last year.
Bosses have said they are targeting further expansion in the US while developing intellectual property across television, publishing, merchandising and creator-led media brands.
Mr Davenport said: “Goalhanger Ventures is about giving exceptional creator-led businesses the infrastructure to grow without losing what made them special in the first place.
“Invisible Media and Backyard Cricket are very different propositions, but they both have that rare combination of editorial clarity, audience trust and genuine momentum.”
He added: “Our role is to help them scale thoughtfully, commercially and creatively, while protecting the independence, personality and quality that their communities already respond to.”