The battle to acquire beleaguered Championship side Sheffield Wednesday has taken a fresh twist, with two American suitors joining forces to submit a new, unified bid.
Joint US Bid Emerges as Deadline Extended
Daily Mail Sport understands that billionaire John McEvoy has combined his resources with members of the Starch family, who were previously linked with a move for Plymouth Argyle. This new joint proposal comes after both parties had initially lodged separate offers for the club.
In a further development, administrators from Begbies Traynor have confirmed they have received another fresh bid from an unnamed interested party. The administrators had initially hoped to name a preferred bidder by Friday but have now extended that timeline, citing the need to carefully assess multiple strong offers.
Who Are the Interested Parties?
John McEvoy is a US investor with a diverse portfolio. He holds stakes in Major League Soccer franchise Colorado Rapids and the National Hockey League's Nashville Predators. He has also been linked with a move for Coventry City in the past.
Intriguingly, it is thought McEvoy reached out to Wednesdayite and Reverend and the Makers frontman Jon McClure to discuss the club's situation. McEvoy holds a minority stake in Various Records, the label to which McClure's band is signed.
Less is known about the Starch family. Sources have disclosed that, despite media reports linking them to a consortium involving Gareth Bale for a bid at Plymouth Argyle, a formal offer for the Devon club never materialised.
A Club in Crisis Seeks a Lifeline
The Owls are in a dire position on and off the pitch. The club is rooted to the bottom of the Championship, sitting on -10 points following points deductions. Last weekend's defeat to Preston North End was their 12th loss in just 18 games this season, leaving them staring at almost certain relegation to League One.
Wednesday were put up for sale after entering administration last month, a direct result of the disastrous ownership of Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri. Former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley was among those to submit an initial bid, though it is believed he has not yet returned with an improved offer.
In a statement, joint administrator Kris Wigfield said: "We have received a number of strong, credible offers. That interest is extremely positive for the future of Sheffield Wednesday." He added that while they understood fans' desire for clarity, "this stage of the process is critical. We must maximise returns to creditors and secure the right long-term owner."
