David Storch reveals big Sheffield Wednesday change he wants to make - it’s ‘top of the list’ | OneFootball

The Owls' potential buyer has hinted at a key change to the club's identity

David Storch has already begun setting his stall out when it comes to potential changes at Sheffield Wednesday, should he officially become the club's next chairman after a drawn-out takeover process.

The Owls have been in limbo on this particular front for several months now, with Storch becoming the second figure to have been granted 'preferred bidder' status by joint administrators, Begbies Traynor, last week after the withdrawal of the bid led by James Bord last month, which was worth £47.8m.

Wednesday's Championship season has, unsurprisingly, been dominated with headlines concerning a potential takeover, with Henrik Pedersen's side still waiting for a second league victory of the campaign to come their way, with the last of those coming against Portsmouth at Fratton Park all the way back on September 20th.

The Steel City side are the only club in the division to already know their fate for next season too, as they were relegated on February 22nd, largely due to the deduction of 18 points for two separate instances in late 2025.

As such, the interim hierarchy in S6, as well as Storch, are hoping to finalise a successful ending to what has been a draining period for Wednesdayites following the departure of controversial former owner, Dejphon Chansiri, from the boardroom on October 24th.

Whilst Storch's bid was deemed as the most beneficial ahead of the likes of Mike Ashley, the fact it falls below the £30m valuation set out to pay outstanding debts and creditors - including Chansiri - means the club are expected to start their first season back in League One since 2023 with a 15-point deduction whilst being handed another restriction of only being able to pay players a maximum weekly salary of £7,000.

Although the American and his consortium - Arise Capital Partners LLC - will face many immediate challenges, he has recently spoken about a potential identity change.

David Storch hints at potential Sheffield Wednesday badge change amid takeover plan

Storch, himself, has revealed that he wishes to have the takeover sewn up by May, in order to give the club the best preparation heading into next season in the third tier.

In the meantime, he has become extremely vocal when setting out the potential plans in place, after he was seen present at Hillsborough for the club's 1-1 draw with Watford last Tuesday ahead of being officially named as preferred bidder.

After such news was announced, Storch appeared on local radio station, BBC Radio Sheffield, and was quizzed about his plans, which included the potential for a change in badge.

The current crest used by Wednesday was adopted in January 2016, and first used in the 2016/17 season under Chansiri's ownership, whilst Storch has expressed his fondness for the black and yellow Owl used on the club's badge between 1984 and 1995, during which they won the EFL Cup in 1991, finished third in the top-flight in 1992 and reached both cup finals in 1992/93.

"We (Arise Capital) love the old badge, so, we love the Owl," explained Storch.

"We see that as an asset, and by all means, I think you'll see some changes there that the fanbase will be happy with.

"We'll be very responsive to the fans. We've heard from the fans. We've spent time with the fans," he added.

"And, clearly, the badge is pretty much at the top of the list (of priorities)."

David Storch will have more pressing Sheffield Wednesday issues to solve amid badge change admission

Whilst Owls fans will be pleased that Storch has taken their thoughts on board, the truth is that he will have more immediate issues to solve if his takeover goes through.

The biggest of those is ensuring that Wednesday have a sustainable plan to return to the Championship as soon as possible, before thinking about tackling an exile from the Premier League which has now lasted 26 years.

With the club set to start next season on -15 points, it is a huge challenge to even ensure survival without knowing how the summer transfer window is going to pan out in terms of both arrivals and departures.