Sheffield Wednesday takeover update suggests Owls could follow Birmingham City and Ipswich Town model | OneFootball

The latest details surrounding the Sheffield Wednesday takeover could prove quite encouraging

Prospective Sheffield Wednesday buyer John McEvoy could follow the examples set at Birmingham City and Ipswich Town if he takes over the Championship side.

It has been reported by the Daily Mail that the American billionaire has joined forces with the Storch family to submit a joint offer to purchase the Owls.

The Yorkshire outfit went into administration in October, and are now seeking new owners in place of Dejphon Chansiri.

The Thai businessman oversaw a disastrous financial situation that has seen the club go from 12th in the table to all but relegated before we even reach the halfway stage of the current season.

While relegation to League One is all but guaranteed for this season due to the club receiving 18 points worth of deductions, Sheffield Wednesday possess a lot of potential to make a strong comeback under the right ownership.

Combining the efforts of multiple investors could be the best way to ensure that a comeback can be achieved, splitting the costs of investments needed to turn things around at Hillsborough.

Sheffield Wednesday could follow in Birmingham and Ipswich’s footsteps

McEvoy and the Storch family are reportedly seeking a joint takeover, having put together a consortium to buy Sheffield Wednesday amid competition from the likes of Mike Ashley.

While Tom Wagner is the most prominent part of the Blues’ ownership, there is also involvement from the likes of Tom Brady.

The American businessman has put together a consortium that has invested heavily into the Midlands outfit, including the arrival of big name signings like Jay Stansfield and Kyogo Furuhashi in the transfer market.

Wagner has also overseen the announcement of a new 62,000 seater stadium, which will replace St. Andrew’s as the club’s new home.

Birmingham now have plans that include a return to the Premier League, with the ambitious owners seeking top flight football for the first time since their 2011 relegation.

Meanwhile, Ipswich were recently valued at £350 million as part of their new ownership structure.

The Arizona state pension fund sold off more of its stake in the Championship side after Bright Path invested in the Tractor Boys in March 2024.

That investment valued the club at £250 million, so this latest restructuring has proved their growth under this consortium organisation.

Sheffield Wednesday can benefit from multiple investors

Chansiri had total say on the direction of Sheffield Wednesday when he was owner, but he lacked the required funds and knowledge to take the club forward long-term.

Having multiple investors will mean that the Owls will no longer be moved in the direction of just one voice, which should protect it from the kind of financial mismanagement they endured under the Thai businessman.

McEvoy and the Storch family could also combine their resources, thus making it easier to invest in both the first team squad and the infrastructure, such as Hillsborough.

It is clear that a lot of work will be needed to turn things around at Sheffield Wednesday, and that buying the club and its assets won’t be enough.

The North Stand has been closed at Hillsborough throughout the season, so sorting that out by itself will also prove costly.

The first team squad will also need to be improved once the Owls are granted permission to sign players for fees, especially as the new owners will surely want the team back competing in the Championship at the very least.

The model of ownership under Chansiri whereby just one person controls everything is becoming increasingly uncommon, and Ipswich and Birmingham could both show the way forward for the Yorkshire outfit.