US billionaire among frontrunners for Sheffield Wednesday takeover | OneFootball

Optimism rises at Hillsborough as search for new owners accelerates

A US-based billionaire investor with interests across sport and music has emerged as one of the leading candidates to buy crisis-hit Sheffield Wednesday.

That’s according to Mike McGrath of The Telegraph, reporting on Monday night.

The Owls entered administration on Friday after years of financial turmoil under owner Dejphon Chansiri, who faced a winding-up petition from HMRC over unpaid tax debts.

Joint administrator Kris Wigfield said there are several serious bidders in talks to buy the club, but under EFL rules, the club must remain on the market for 28 days before any sale can progress.

Prospective buyers must first prove they have the financial resources to make the club viable and demonstrate they can pass the EFL’s Fit and Proper Persons Test.

US billionaire John McEvoy linked to Sheffield Wednesday takeover

California-based John McEvoy is a minority shareholder in Major League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies and the NHL’s Nashville Predators, and is now said to be exploring a bid to take control at Hillsborough.

McEvoy’s business background lies in mobile technology - he is the founder of a San Diego-based distribution company - but his wider investments include a minority stake in Various Artists.

His company’s roster includes Sheffield band Reverend and the Makers, whose frontman Jon McClure - a lifelong Wednesday fan - is said to have been consulted in early discussions.

McClure, who has long called for change at the club, expressed relief on social media last week at the end of Chansiri’s ownership and described a takeover as a “huge opportunity” for the right candidate.

McEvoy previously explored a move to buy Coventry City in 2022 before shelving plans, and is understood to have been monitoring the situation at Wednesday for several months.

The club’s administrators at Begbies Traynor declined to comment, but are believed to be aware of his interest.

Sheffield Wednesday administrators confirm four or five ‘real deal’ bidders

McEvoy’s name has surfaced after joint administrator Kris Wigfield confirmed that there are credible interested parties in the running to buy the club.

“As always, you get a lot of interested parties that probably aren’t going to meet the criteria,” Wigfield told the BBC.

“But within the numerous inquiries we’ve had, we certainly think that there are already four or five interested parties that look like the real deal.”

Wednesday were placed into administration on Friday, triggering an automatic 12-point deduction from the EFL.

The club are now bottom of the Championship on -6 points after 12 games, and a further investigation into alleged breaches of financial regulations could yet lead to more sanctions.

Manager Henrik Pedersen faces a fight to keep the Owls in the division, with the team 16 points adrift of safety, but the removal of Chansiri has brought renewed optimism among supporters.

Former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is also said to be monitoring developments, potentially setting up a competitive bidding process in the coming weeks.

John Textor, former Crystal Palace owner, has also been linked to an Owls takeover.

The focus, in the eyes of the administrators, remains on identifying a buyer capable of proving both financial viability and compliance with EFL ownership rules.

For Owls fans, weary after years of mismanagement, the emergence of seemingly credible investors like McEvoy hints at the possibility - however faint - of a long-awaited fresh start at Hillsborough.