AI describes all 24 EFL Championship owners in just one word | OneFootball

FLW ask ChatGPT to think of one word that best describes each Championship club owner

FLW asked ChatGPT to describe every 25/26 Championship club owner in one word.

It’s fair to say the second tier is home to a diverse range of club owners, from billionaires and actors to investment firms and former pilots.

Whether the views you have on a certain owner are good or bad, we wonder if AI could sum them up in one word.

Given that not every single club is controlled by one person - i.e. Knighthead and Birmingham City - in some cases the company is used instead.

Let us know in the comments if you think AI did a good job, or got it horribly wrong.

Birmingham City - Knighthead Capital Management

ChatGPT says: Ambitious

Even before completing their full takeover of Birmingham City in November 2025, Tom Wagner and Knighthead have definitely shown so much ambition to get the club back to the top of English football according to ChatGPT.

Breaking the League One transfer record three times in one window is one thing, and they’ve followed it up by planning the Sports Quarter development with a 62k seater stadium.

Blackburn Rovers - The Venky's

ChatGPT says: Controversial

In the eyes of AI, the decision to sack Sam Allardyce in December 2010 - barely two months after taking over, marked the beginning of a downward spiral from which Blackburn has never truly recovered.

Taking into account the fact that the Venky’s, a company formed by the Rao family, haven’t been to a game at Ewood Park in years, refusing to sell the club is very controversial.

Our Fan Pundit, Simon Middlehurst, said the only direction the club has gone is "backwards or sideways" under them.

Bristol City - Steve Lansdown

Steadfast basically means Steve Landown is firm and determined in his position as Robins owner.

Since becoming chairman in 2002, Lansdown has poured hundreds of millions into Bristol City through his company Pula Sport Limited, accumulating 97 percent of the club's shareholding.

Although it was reported three years ago he was open to selling Bristol City for the 'right deal', so he may have lost some of that determination.

Charlton Athletic - Global Football Partners

ChatGPT says: Rebuilding

AI noted that Global Football Partners inherited a club drowning in uncertainty after years of ownership chaos under Thomas Sandgaard.

With the Addicks now taking everyone by surprise in the Championship, it’s fair to say they’re rebuilding just as well on the pitch as they are off it.

Coventry City - Doug King

Seeing as though Doug King likes to charge £45 for away fans to visit the CBS Arena because it's "optimising where we can optimise", AI think he's definitely driven in a business sense at Coventry City.

And the appointment of Frank Lampard as manager is the kind of forward-thinking decision that AI sums him up with, and it's obviously working.

Derby County - David Clowes

ChatGPT says - Rescuer

David Clowes reluctantly stepped forward with the single-minded determination of a fan on a rescue mission - according to AI.

Derby County would’ve been liquidated within a week if he didn’t though.

Along with getting the club promoted back to the second tier and staying there, AI says he finally brought stability to the club's finances, which allowed John Eustace to be heavily backed in the summer with 13 new players signing.

Hull City - Acun Ilicali

ChatGPT says Charismatic

AI notes, what other word best sums up the 'Turkish Simon Cowell'?

Putting the transfer restrictions to one side, where Hull's former owners - the Allams -had actively disengaged from supporters, Ilicali has done the opposite.

The club has some of the cheapest tickets in the EFL and free travel on away days, so it's not like it's all charm with Ilicali either.

Ipswich Town - Gamechanger 20

ChatGPT says: Progressive

AI believes the very name "Gamechanger” hints at the progressive approach of Ipswich's American ownership consortium.

The appointment of Kieran McKenna has probably summed this up as well - identifying a manager focused on development and attractive football rather than short-term results.

Even though the club got relegated from the Premier League last season, the back-to-back promotions have made sure Ipswich will continue to be competitive in the future.

Leicester City - Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha

ChatGPT says: Loyal

Khun Top, as he is known, inherited Leicester City following the tragic death of his father Vichai in 2018.

Despite the obvious recent struggles with relegation, Top seems willing to show his family's commitment to Leicester's long-term future - in the eyes of AI.

He addressed fans in mid-November and said the club needs time to rebuild "everything."

Middlesbrough - Steve Gibson

Like Derby’s David Clowes, Steve Gibson is a local fan who saved his beloved club from liquidation - but has devoted four decades to it.

His conversion of almost £107m of club debt into shares in December 2023 tells AI he is keeping this devotion up at Boro.