If Sullivan could be got rid of, who would you want as next Owner?

[stubbo-admin]

Given we have a manager thread along these lines. We may as well have one that actually deals with the root cause of our problems.

If we could somehow actually get rid of the real problem at the Club, who (or what type) of owner would you want to take their place.

- Sports washers?
- US Tycoons?
- Local boy made good types?
- Business Tycoon?
- Consortium?

We've got the 4th or 5th richest owners collectively in the league, so it's clearly not just about having money, but about having visionary leadership, aspiration, and an innovative approach to things.

Who would you want? What type of person? Who would you want to figurehead for the Club?

[Barty888]

I asked Grok...

"If Sullivan sells West Ham who are the most likely to buy the club?"

Information on potential buyers for West Ham United Football Club, should David Sullivan decide to sell his stake, is speculative, as no confirmed sale is currently reported. However, based on recent reports and trends in Premier League investments, several parties could be considered likely candidates:

Daniel Kretinsky: The Czech billionaire already owns a 27% stake in West Ham, acquired in 2021, and has the option to increase his shareholding or pursue a controlling stake as part of his initial deal. While he has indicated no immediate plans for a full takeover, his existing involvement and financial capacity (estimated net worth of £7bn) make him a leading candidate. His business ventures, such as the £3.6bn Royal Mail buyout, suggest he has the resources and interest in UK investments.

US-Based Investors (e.g., J. Albert "Tripp" Smith and Guggenheim Partners): A US consortium, reportedly led by Tripp Smith (who owns an 8% stake in West Ham), has been linked with a bid to acquire the 25.1% stake held by the Gold family, with potential plans to also purchase Kretinsky’s shares for a controlling 60.1% stake. Names like Mark Walter of Guggenheim Partners (linked to a £157m move for Udinese but not ruled out for West Ham) and former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick have surfaced. American investors are increasingly active in the Premier League due to its global appeal and commercial opportunities.

Middle Eastern Investors (e.g., Qatari or Saudi Groups): Interest from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds or private investors is plausible, given their history with Premier League clubs. In 2023, Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, after failing to buy Manchester United, was rumored to be eyeing West Ham’s shares. The club’s London location and low debt make it attractive to such investors, who often seek high-profile clubs for global branding. West Ham CEO Karren Brady’s trips to the Middle East to attract investment further support this possibility.

Private Equity Firms or Consortiums: With West Ham’s valuation estimated at £600m–£700m and its strong business fundamentals (low debt, London Stadium lease, and global fanbase), private equity firms or consortiums like MSP Sports Capital or groups led by figures like Vatche Manoukian (previously linked to Everton) could emerge as contenders. The Premier League’s saturated market and declining private equity interest might limit this pool, but West Ham’s profile remains appealing.

Other Billionaires or High-Net-Worth Individuals: Fan discussions and speculative reports have mentioned names like Larry Ellison (Oracle founder) or Steve Ballmer (former Microsoft CEO and LA Clippers owner) as ideal owners due to their wealth and sports investment experience. However, these are largely aspirational and lack concrete evidence of interest.

Key Considerations:

Sullivan, with a 38.8% stake, remains the majority shareholder, and any sale would likely depend on his willingness to relinquish control. Reports suggest he might be open to selling shares to take the club “to the next level.” West Ham’s valuation, strong commercial prospects, and London location make it attractive, but a “dismal” 2024-25 season (14th place, -17 goal difference) and fan frustration with current ownership could pressure a sale. Former West Ham midfielder Martin Allen noted that takeovers often happen discreetly, suggesting any deal might emerge suddenly without prior public reports.No definitive buyers are confirmed, and the situation hinges on Sullivan’s and other shareholders’ intentions. Monitoring sources like The Guardian, The Athletic, or West Ham-focused outlets (e.g., Hammers News, The West Ham Way) for updates is advisable, as new developments could shift the landscape.

 

[nychammer]

The powerball Jackpot draw has reached $700 Million, If I win it ill be in touch (although to be fair after tax that's nowhere near enough)

[Central Park Man]

I think Simon Jordan would be a good chairman

[Massive Attack]

Elon Musk

Oddly, the geezer knocked up a chav in Hemel Hempstead. Blows my mind to think he used to kick it around here whilst sloshing her pot. Stranger things have happened and it would be a laugh to see him become our Owner before ripping the gaff to bits and building a super stadium that dwarfs Spurs cunthole.

[Bondholder]

Elon Musk

[eusebiovic]

Hannibal Smith

Maybe he and the assistants he'd bring in could lock themselves in a shed and make two serviceable midfielders from all the various parts of the broken ones we have.

That's a very good idea but Gene Wilder is dead so who has the tenacity and vision to enable our hybrid to be Putting on the Ritz?

[eusebiovic]

Good video from Gonzo. Sums up what most are thinking

This is great stuff.

Would admin please post this video and the Dan Lawless one at Sky TV on the Sullivan Out petition thread.

I agree that nobody else should be allowed to post on that thread but credible content like these two videos and any which may surface in future need to be on there.

If anything it will make it an easy resource point for any researchers who work in the media to see them all in one place together. 

[Mex Martillo]

Us, thats to say all members of West Ham United Football Club.
We would all have one vote and we would vote for the Director and management. We would need someone to buy it for us and set it all up legally. Or many be Sullivan would do that as a gift before he retires. Ho ho ho...

[El Scorchio]

Hannibal Smith

Maybe he and the assistants he'd bring in could lock themselves in a shed and make two serviceable midfielders from all the various parts of the broken ones we have.

[Gank]

Hannibal Smith

[El Scorchio]

Somebody who is forward thinking enough to invest in a comprehensive player scouting database so that the club is able to do all their own homework, research and due diligence before even having to think about contacting the agency representing them. This will cost about £2 million odd quid a season to run but would avoid mistakes like paying £40 million for a player and then having to sell them for half a couple of years later.

Simple economics init? Unless you think that the diploma from The Kenneth Bates School of Economic Science is the way to go about your business

We don't need that. We've got Sullivan jr playing football manager and Sullivan sr's agent mates sending him quicktime videos and brown paper bags to sign their clients. That's our scouting network. And it's free. Why would we want to chuck 2 million quid down the toilet?

[southbankbornnbred]

Vladimir Putin

Pumps lot of money in then Novichoks the away dressing room
West Ham stroll to the title against youth teams

He already did that with Chelsea.

[wils]

I have a preference for "Local boy made good types". I don't subscribe to the success at any cost school of thought. Success is good of course but I prefer the identity of the club is preserved as if you lose that, what's the point of the success anyway? Although arguably that ship sailed with Sullivan.

 

[eusebiovic]

Somebody who is forward thinking enough to invest in a comprehensive player scouting database so that the club is able to do all their own homework, research and due diligence before even having to think about contacting the agency representing them. This will cost about £2 million odd quid a season to run but would avoid mistakes like paying £40 million for a player and then having to sell them for half a couple of years later.

Simple economics init? Unless you think that the diploma from The Kenneth Bates School of Economic Science is the way to go about your business

[theaxeman]

George Soros will do for me.

[XKhammer]

 

So I'm doing more than your square root of fuck all then...

ThickClit youre a deep state detective and clearly insane 

And you're a nonce.

I know whose shoes I prefer.

🪮

[THUNDERCLINT]

And what exactly are you doing about it? Apart from being all shouty on an internet forum?

 

So I'm doing more than your square root of fuck all then...

ThickClit youre a deep state detective and clearly insane 

And you're a nonce.

I know whose shoes I prefer.

[stubbo-admin]

Good video from Gonzo. Sums up what most are thinking

[Fauxstralian]

Vladimir Putin

Pumps lot of money in then Novichoks the away dressing room
West Ham stroll to the title against youth teams

[Gank]

Mr. T

[Sir Alf]

Anyone who is a multi billionaire ideally in the 100s of billions and wants to spend to get bragging rights over other multi billionnaires. Sport washers, Arabs, Septics anyone but Sullivan who is mega rich and wants to spend it for success even if its an ego thing. Elon ? Or will he be broke soon? Well he would if he bought West Ham, the curse is strong, it took down Eggy and the Icelandics.

[Sydney_Iron]

Suspect every club in the world, like every business is for sale if the right price is offered, granted perhaps not those with fan ownership structures (Bayern, Bilbao come to mind) so no offence but pointless thread as the current ain’t going anywhere (unless silly money offered) and lady Brady confirmed such on TS today….,

[Mike Oxsaw]

Second Soprano of the reserve Choir of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, Salem Chapel, Little Hollow Township, Bismal County, Wyoming.

[Keep dreaming]

IF Sullivan could be get rid of...

He can be got rid of...how much money have you got?

[northbankfrank]

If there was some sort of supporter co-op eg 60,000 people putting money in to buy up the shares and commit to yearly funding, say for at least 10 years, how much would anyone be prepared to stump up themselves?
 

How would supporters put money in to buy shares when 99% of the shares are owned by 4 people?