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By Tony Connelly, Sports Marketing Reporter

April 6, 2017 | 2 min read

Brave Bison, the independent digital media and social video broadcaster, has joined the foray of social influencers creating their own football clubs after partnering with YouTube star Callum Airey to launch Rebel FC, which will be managed by former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand.

The new YouTube-based football club joins the likes of the hugely popular Hashtag United FC and will be captained by Airey, better known as Calfreezy.

Rebel FC, developed in partnership with Brave Bison, will serve as both a sports digital media enterprise and a football team. It will create “entertaining content for the football-obsessed millennial demographic” which will be delivered across all key social platforms.

In addition to the 2.9 million subscribers which Airey has on YouTube, the promotion of Brave Bison’s new venture will be further boosted by the arrival of former Manchester United star and football pundit Rio Ferdinand, who has been confirmed as the manager for the team’s first match.

“Partnering with Rebel FC is a perfect example of how we help our roster of influencer talent realise their commercial potential through innovative new business ventures,” said Jamie Searle, global head of talent at Brave Bison.

“With our expertise in creating original content and managing multi-platform networks, Brave Bison has a strong synergy with Calfreezy’s long-term goals.”

Commenting on the launch of the club, Airey said: “Rebel FC is a team of passionate football fans who instead of choosing the traditional route to the top in football, are rebelling against the system and taking a chance on a different way in. They’re aiming high and committed to taking Rebel FC to the highest reaches of the footballing world.”

Brave Bison will hope to replicate the success of YouTube star Spencer FC’s team Hashtag United, which attracted the attention of EE who partnered with the team for the Wembley Cup and have also landed shirt sponsorship from Top Eleven.

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