At least two additional visits have reportedly been made by potential buyers interested in taking over Sheffield Wednesday, with one believed to involve a mystery American group. According to The Star, that group is thought to have toured Hillsborough the day after the Owls’ home draw with Norwich City, a match they are understood to have attended.
A US billionaire, identified as John McEvoy, is now said to be the latest figure to visit the club’s facilities amid ongoing takeover discussions. Sources close to the process told The Star that McEvoy, along with several associates, was given a guided tour of Hillsborough Stadium on Wednesday, as the club edges closer to the conclusion of its 28-day marketing phase under administration.
The sales process follows outgoing owner Dejphon Chansiri’s decision to step down last month. So far, 11 parties have submitted proof of funds to the administrators overseeing the deal, marking the most advanced stage of proceedings to date. A select few of these suitors have been invited to inspect the club’s key facilities — primarily Hillsborough and the Middlewood Road training complex — as part of their due diligence.
McEvoy, a San Diego-based entrepreneur, has a diverse portfolio spanning technology, entertainment, and sports. He is the founder of a mobile device distribution company and holds minority ownership stakes in the Colorado Rockies (MLB) and the Nashville Predators (NHL). In 2022, he was linked with a potential move to purchase Coventry City, though that deal never materialized. More recently, The Telegraph reported that McEvoy had re-emerged as a candidate to acquire Sheffield Wednesday and had reached out to local musician and Owls supporter Jon McClure, frontman of Reverend and the Makers, for insight into the club. McClure is signed to Various Records, a management company in which McEvoy became a minority shareholder in 2019.
Elsewhere, The Star understands that former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley continues to show interest in the club, while a consortium led by ex-Sunderland part-owner Charlie Methven is not expected to progress further at this stage. At least one other US-based investor group is also believed to have expressed strong interest, though the identities of most involved parties remain confidential.
As of now, no formal bids have been submitted, though administrators have reportedly set a “soft deadline” of November 21 for indicative offers to be lodged. A two-week negotiation window is expected to follow, with hopes that a preferred bidder will be identified by December 5.
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