Sheffield Wednesday takeover rumours have reached fever pitch in recent weeks. Multiple parties are reportedly interested in purchasing the Championship club from current owner Dejphon Chansiri, who has faced mounting pressure from fans due to ongoing financial instability.
Current ownership situation
Dejphon Chansiri, who has owned Sheffield Wednesday since 2015, finds himself increasingly isolated. The Thai businessman has faced growing opposition from supporters following repeated instances of financial mismanagement. Most recently, in March 2025, players and staff received late payments, nearly triggeoring a three-window transfer ban from the EFL.
Protests have become commonplace at Hillsborough, with fans openly calling for Chansiri to sell the club. The owner has publicly stated he is willing to sell, but only “if the right offer is made” – a stance that has frustrated potential buyers.
American interest grows
The most significant development involves the Walton-Penner family, owners of NFL franchise Denver Broncos. Reports suggest they have submitted a bid in the region of £100 million for Sheffield Wednesday.
If true, this would transform the Owls into one of the wealthiest clubs in the EFL overnight. However, these claims remain unconfirmed, with club sources describing the situation as “highly speculative” at present.
This isn’t the first American interest in the club. Earlier this year, a Florida-based consortium reportedly made up of business leaders and professional athletes submitted a bid that was rejected by Chansiri. The owner claimed the group failed to provide proof of funds or disclose investor identities.
Previous failed attempts
Adam Shaw, a Sheffield-born businessman based in the United States, previously led another consortium interested in taking over the club. These discussions collapsed when Chansiri refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
The situation grew more complicated when Chansiri claimed Shaw’s charity, Shawminds, owed money to the club. This public dispute effectively ended any chance of a deal being struck between the parties.
Financial instability continues
The club’s financial troubles remain a pressing concern. The March 2025 payment delays were attributed to cashflow problems in Chansiri’s personal business dealings, but the damage to club morale was significant.
| Financial Issue | Impact | Current Status |
|—————-|——–|—————-|
| Late player wages (March 2025) | Near transfer ban | Resolved temporarily |
| Outstanding commercial debts | Complicating takeover talks | Ongoing |
| Cashflow problems | Fan protests | Continuing |
While the immediate threat of an EFL transfer ban was averted, the club remains vulnerable, Any further payment delays in the coming months could trigger severe penalties, making the takeover situation even more urgent.
What happens next?
The Sheffield Wednesday takeover saga shows no signs of resolution in the immediate future. While multiple parties have expressed interest, no deal has been finalized as of mid-May 2025.
Chansiri maintains he will only sell to buyers who meet his specific criteria, including proof of funds and transparent investor identities. Meanwhile, fan unrest continues to grow, with supporter groups organizing protests at home matches.
The Walton-Penner bid represents the most promising development, but supporters remain cautiously optimistic given the history of failed takeover attempts at the club.