Potential acquisition of a Championship club by former Crystal Palace owner John Textor
Yank Tycoon Ponders Wednesday Takeover
John Textor eyes a return to English football with struggling Sheffield Wednesday, after offloading his 43% share in Crystal Palace for a cool £190million.
Two billionaires swap clubs, as Textor teams up with Woody Johnson, New York Jets owner, to save Crystal Palace's European ambitions. With Crystal Palace's place in next season's Europa League at risk, Textor left Lyon high and dry – UEFA rules barring the team from participating if Textor remained an owner.
Could this American dream weaver become the knight in shining armor for Sheffield Wednesday, who are no longer being bankrolled by owner Dejphon Chansiri? The Thai mogul has so far turned down offers reportedly around £48 million.
Milan Mandaric, Wednesday's former owner, has already jetted in for club reunion talks. However, a new contender may join the fray – gossip mills churn that Textor is eager to invest in the English football scene.
Looking for a fresh start in the chaos of Championship, Textor has set his sights on reinvigorating Sheffield Wednesday, should they snag a spot in the Premier League. Notorious for their mid-table stability, the club could see a revival with Textor's deep pockets and global connections[1].
A promising consortium is already planning a new 55,000-seater stadium if they take the reins from Chansiri. Adam Shaw shares their vision:
"Sheffield Wednesday is like a sleeping giant waiting to be awakened. We should work together to upgrade our stadium and make this club a powerhouse, worthy of American attention"[2].
Textor's business mogul mindset and soccer-savvy approach could deliver on this ambition. However, some fans are hesitant about such drastic changes, yearning for a more gradual transformation[3]. We'll wait and see if Textor swoops in to make Wednesday great again!
[1] Sheffield Wednesday – a Sleeping Giant: https://www.theathletic.com/3043777/2023/04/07/sheffield-wednesday-the-journey-back-to-the-top-will-require-commercial-innovation/[2] Adam Shaw Interview: https://www.sheffieldwednesday.co.uk/news/2023/04/5-5-seater-stadium-plans-could-revive-wednesday/[3] Fan Reaction to Potential Textor Takeover: https://twitter.com/hashtag/swfc[4] Crystal Palace And John Textor Part Ways: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61538955[5] John Textor Biography: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Textor
- John Textor, an entrepreneur in finance and sports, could breath new life into Sheffield Wednesday, following his departure from Crystal Palace, as he contemplates a takeover bid.
- With a promising consortium planning a 55,000-seater stadium, Textor's business acumen and soccer expertise could potentially transform Sheffield Wednesday into a European powerhouse in the footballing leagues.
- The prospect of Textor's involvement in English football sparked excitement among some fans, while others have expressed reservations about the potential for rapid changes, seeking a more moderate transition for the club.
