West Ham Hints at Major Takeover Amid £1bn News from Franc
West Ham United may soon see new investors, with shares from Vanessa Gold up for sale and Karren Brady seeking Middle East investment. Daniel Kretinsky holds a clause for a controlling stake but is focused on other ventures. Ligue 1's financial crisis could also attract new investors. Discover the latest on West Ham's potential takeover and club valuation
West Ham supporters have received promising signs about potential new investors for their club. A portion of shares owned by Vanessa Gold, widow of the late David Gold, are up for sale, and vice-chairman Karren Brady recently sought fresh investment in the Middle East.
Daniel Kretinsky, who holds a minority stake in West Ham, has a clause allowing him to take a controlling interest. However, the Czech billionaire is currently focused on other ventures, such as Royal Mail and French IT firm Atos, indicating possible changes behind the scenes.
Recent reports suggested NBA star Shaquille O’Neal's interest in acquiring a minority stake in West Ham. If true, his involvement would likely be symbolic, similar to LeBron James, Will Ferrell, and Tom Brady's investments in Liverpool, Leeds, and Birmingham, respectively.
The broader football business landscape might increase West Ham's appeal to investors. While the Premier League's domestic TV deal value is stabilizing, Ligue 1 faces potential financial crisis without a domestic broadcast partner for the 2024-25 season. French outlet L’Equipe reported that eight Ligue 1 clubs risk bankruptcy due to lack of TV revenue, significantly lowering the market value of their broadcast rights.
This instability could prompt Ligue 1 club owners to consider investing in the Premier League, with West Ham being an attractive option. Football finance trends suggest that preliminary discussions have likely occurred.
As for the club's valuation, there is no fixed method. Private equity groups from the US are often linked to Premier League club sales. Gregg Bettinelli of The Chernin Group recently estimated West Ham's worth at upwards of £795m, based on annual revenue of around £230m.
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