American takeover news is huge for Sheffield Wednesday | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday could benefit massively from a combined US takeover

2025 has been a year of turmoil for the Owls, with players going unpaid, stadium safety troubles and the search for a new owner putting supporters through a rollercoaster of emotions.

After struggling with financial issues for a great deal of time, ex-owner Dejphon Chansiri was forced to place Wednesday into administration in late October. As many as 80 parties showed an interest in purchasing the Steel City side soon after, with that list since whittled down by the administrators to only the most serious candidates.

Some parties have since decided that they weren’t fully invested in a takeover, such as the consortium led by ex-Crystal Palace owner and talkSPORT host Simon Jordan. Sheffield-born insurance tycoon Ryan Howsam backed his bid to take over the Owls, but concerns about compensating Chansiri deterred them from progressing to the final stages of a deal.

Former Newcastle United chief Mike Ashley made an initial offer worth £20m to become Sheffield Wednesday’s new owner but saw that approach immediately bettered by three other parties. US Billionaire John McEvoy and ex-professional poker star James Bord are also reportedly in the final mix, but a decision still hasn’t been reached over who will be giving exclusivity to buy the Owls.

Joint US bid could bring exciting times to Hillsborough

It was recently revealed that two parties interested in taking over Sheffield Wednesday had decided to combine their forces to get a purchase done.

This duo includes McEvoy, who is an entrepreneur and investor based in the US. He has links to Sheffield-based band Reverend & The Makers due to his stake in the talent agency Various Artists, who advised him on entering the race to take over Wednesday.

The other half of the pairing is made up by the Storch family. Although from the United States, they are no strangers to the English game, having previously been linked with a bid to buy Plymouth Argyle.

Naturally, this boosts the chances of them winning out as they have combined resources to offer, whereas the likes of Ashley have to fend for themselves.

If this partnership were to win out, it could signal the start of an extremely exciting period for Sheffield Wednesday. The Hillsborough faithful only have to look at the likes of Birmingham City and Ipswich Town to get their hopes up about a bright future.

American groups bought into those two clubs and have completely transformed their trajectories. Blues have spent handsomely in the transfer market, are looking forward to a new 62,000-seat stadium and enjoy the presence of NFL legend Tom Brady within their ownership.

Meanwhile, Ipswich secured consecutive promotions from League One up to the Premier League and look a good bet to repeat that feat this term. Both the Storch family and McEvoy are extremely wealthy and their combined resources could create a lot of change at Hillsborough.

Soon, the Owls may have plans for stadium developments, fresh infrastructure and new players in their squad. Along with the backing of these combined forces, supporters would start believing that good times were well and truly back for the Steel City side.

Given their history and status within the game, Wednesday would very quickly become a force to be reckoned with if the US duo were to take them over.

Sheffield Wednesday fans may be disappointed if US duo don’t win out

Given that there are so many potential positives that could come from the US duo winning the race to buy Sheffield Wednesday, it could lead to a touch of disappointment if they aren’t chosen.

With the examples of Birmingham and Ipswich right in front of them, a candidate such as Ashley taking over could create a deflated feeling around Hillsborough.

The combined might of McEvoy and the Storch family would provide Wednesday with a wealth of resources, which is exactly what the club need in this situation.

Ashley isn’t exactly strapped for cash, but has shown in the past his reluctance to invest more than necessary when running a football club. Therefore, a strange feeling of disappointment could emerge if the US duo are beaten to the purchase of the Owls.