Sheffield Wednesday takeover: What is Gareth Bale’s net worth as David Storch link emerges | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday's prospective new owner has a relationship with ex-Real Madrid star Gareth Bale

David Storch’s consortium Arise has been named as the new preferred bidder for Sheffield Wednesday.

The American will be hoping to finalise a deal to buy the Owls as quickly as possible in order to get to work on restoring the club to a stronger competitive level.

The Yorkshire outfit have been in administration since October, and this is the second group to be named as the preferred choice to buy the team by Begbies Traynor.

Previously the consortium led by James Bord was expected to take over after an agreement was reached in December, but they pulled out of the move in February.

Supporters will want as swift a conclusion as possible, as they now see some light at the end of the tunnel after a turbulent last 12 months.

But Storch also has a relationship with former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, who has also wished him well with his venture into Sheffield Wednesday.

Gareth Bale’s net worth

Bale made his name as a star for Real Madrid and Wales, but he first broke onto the scene for Southampton.

The forward came through the Saints’ academy system before joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2007, where he spent six years.

The Welshman became the most expensive player in football history in 2013 when he moved to Spain, signing for Madrid in a deal worth £85 million.

During his time in La Liga, he won three league titles, a Copa del Rey and five Champions Leagues, becoming one of the most celebrated players in the world.

While he retired in 2023, it’s been claimed that he has a net worth of £120 million as a result of his success on the pitch, along with his business ventures off the field.

Bale reportedly earned £600,000 per week during his time in Madrid, but that is not the only source of his impressive net worth.

In 2017, he opened a bar in Cardiff, and he has since expanded to a location in Bristol, which also combines with his love of golf.

The 36-year-old has also invested in a distillery, as well as a golf league led by Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods as part of his business ventures.

Gareth Bale’s potential Sheffield Wednesday role

Bale was previously linked with a possible takeover of Plymouth Argyle, with the former forward leading a consortium that wanted to purchase the Devon outfit.

However, a deal failed to come to fruition, which was also the case when he had a bid for Cardiff City rejected in 2025.

This appetite to get involved in football ownership could lead Bale to seek a role with the Owls.

However, no such step has officially been taken at this stage and it remains unclear just how willing he’d be to work with Storch.

The American is seeking ratification from the EFL before having his takeover confirmed, and there are still doubts over whether the move will be finalised due to complications regarding a wage spend cap and a 15 points deduction penalty for next season.