A consortium led by businessman James Bord has been selected as the preferred bidder to take over troubled Championship club Sheffield Wednesday, with a member of the Jordanian royal family revealed as a key figure in the group.
The Royal Connection in the Owls' Rescue Bid
Daily Mail Sport can reveal that the chief executive of the bidding consortium is Alsharif Faisal Bin Jamil, a Jordanian investment executive and a member of the country's royal family. Faisal is an Oxford University and Imperial College London graduate who currently serves as CEO of Infinity Sports and also holds the CEO position at Short Circuit, a company run by James Bord.
The group's bid was chosen ahead of several other offers, including one from former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley. To secure their status as preferred bidder, Bord's consortium has placed a non-refundable deposit of £2.5 million, which will contribute to the running costs at Hillsborough while the deal is finalised.
Profile of the Consortium Leader
James Bord, the public face of the bid, is a London-born former professional poker player who amassed winnings of approximately £3.2 million on the circuit. He began his career working for gambling firms before founding data analytics company Short Circuit Science, which has previously provided services to Sheffield United.
Bord already has football ownership experience, holding stakes in Spanish second-tier side Cordoba CF and Bulgarian club Septemvri Sofia. He also co-owns Scottish Championship club Dunfermline Athletic.
Critical Hurdles and Club's Dire Situation
The proposed takeover must now pass the English Football League's stringent Owners and Directors Test before it can be ratified. A successful approval would see the club avoid a potential 15-point penalty next season, as the offer is understood to exceed the minimum requirement to creditors under EFL rules.
This development comes at a critical time for Sheffield Wednesday, who are rooted to the bottom of the Championship table. The club faces almost certain relegation to League One, sitting on minus nine points and a daunting 32 points from safety following points deductions.
The involvement of Alsharif Faisal Bin Jamil adds a significant international and royal dimension to a takeover saga that will shape the future of one of England's historic football clubs.
