Connect with us

Championship

Sheffield Wednesday’s new owners say club will start 2026/27 season with NO points deduction

Sheffield Wednesday’s new owners say the club will start the 2026/27 season in League One with NO points deduction.

The EFL confirm in their statement that Arise Capital Partners, a consortium led by David Storch, as the new owner of the Owls.

An even better news, it has now been confirmed they are no longer considered in administration and there will be no 15-point deduction next season.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY STATEMENT:

Sheffield Wednesday Football Club Limited (in Administration)

Completion of Sale to Arise Capital Partners LLC

The Joint Administrators of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club Limited are pleased to confirm the successful completion of the sale of the Club to Arise Capital Partners LLC, a consortium led by David Storch, alongside Michael Storch and Tom Costin.

The transaction has been completed following constructive engagement with key stakeholders, including the English Football League (EFL), and in accordance with all relevant regulatory requirements.

As part of this process, the EFL Board exercised its discretion, as provided by the Insolvency Policy, and concluded that it would not be appropriate to impose a 15-point deduction on the Club following its exit from Administration. As such, the Club will begin the upcoming season on 0 points. A position has also been agreed on wage and transfer parameters that is both acceptable and supportive of the Club’s forward progress.

The sale secures the long-term future of the Club and marks the beginning of a new era for Sheffield Wednesday – one built on stability, responsibility, and renewed belief.

Throughout this turbulent period in the Club’s history, staff and players have shown unwavering professionalism and pride. Supporters – through uncertainty and frustration -have shown they are amongst the most loyal in the land.

David Storch, on behalf of Arise Capital Partners LLC, said: “Ever since we attended the match against Norwich City at Hillsborough on 5 November and saw the excitement and enthusiasm from the fans, we’ve been hooked. From the very beginning, this has been about more than an acquisition. It has been about responsibility – to the Club, to its history, and most importantly to its supporters.

“Sheffield Wednesday deserves stability, ambition and a clear direction. That is what we are here to deliver.

“We know trust must be earned. We are humbled by the opportunity, we take this seriously as stewards of this incredible club – we will approach this with humility, transparency, and a long-term commitment to doing things the right way.

“I would like to thank the EFL for their constructive engagement in reaching this resolution. This has been a complex journey, and their willingness to work with us to secure a fair and sustainable position has been vital.

“I would also like to acknowledge the administrators at BTG, whose expertise, diligence, and steady guidance have been instrumental in navigating this highly challenging situation.

“In addition, I want to recognise the outstanding work of my team, whose dedication, professionalism, and belief in the potential of this football club have been central to achieving this result.

“I would like to pay tribute to the hard work and support of the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters’ Trust and local Members of Parliament, whose engagement and advocacy have been so important throughout this process.

“To our supporters: thank you for your incredible passion and loyalty. It was a privilege to share this moment with many of you at Hillsborough, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the entire staff at Hillsborough and Middlewood Road for their hard work and dedication during the most challenging of times.

“The circumstances they have endured are unprecedented but their professionalism and loyalty shown throughout must be and is recognised.

“Today, this Club is reborn – and we look forward with determination to the work that lies ahead.”

Kris Wigfield, Joint Administrator, said:

“This has been one of the most challenging and important processes we have ever undertaken. From day one, our objective was clear – to protect this football club and to secure its future.

“Sheffield Wednesday is not just a business. It is a club with deep roots, history and a community that cares passionately about it. We have felt that responsibility every single day.

“We are proud to have achieved a transaction that not only delivers for creditors but gives the Club a real opportunity to move forward with stability and purpose.

“We need to remember that, as part of this process, people and businesses have lost money that affects their livelihoods. I would like to thank them for their sacrifice, and I hope the payments that this transaction delivers helps them move forward.

“In getting to know David over the course of this transaction, I am assured the Club has gained a custodian befitting its stature and tradition.

“To the supporters, staff and players – thank you. Your resilience and loyalty have carried the Club through this period. You have never wavered.”

The Joint Administrators will now work closely with the new ownership group to ensure a smooth transition into this next phase.

Further updates will follow in due course.

EFL STATEMENT:

The EFL welcomes confirmation from the Administrators of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, BTG, that they have formally concluded an agreement with Arise Capital Partners LLC, a consortium led by David Storch, alongside Michael Storch and Tom Costin, to the transfer of assets of the Club and place Sheffield Wednesday under new ownership.

Consequently, the EFL can now confirm that the Club, under its new ownership, has met the relevant League requirements and is therefore no longer regarded as in Administration.

This has been an incredibly challenging and complex situation for all parties, and as such the EFL Board has exercised its discretion, as provided by the Insolvency Policy, and concluded that it would not be appropriate to impose a 15-point deduction on the Club following its exit from Administration. This decision has been made by the Board after considering the proposals made to Mr Chansiri by the joint Administrators and new ownership.

While the Club remains under a budget restriction for the next two seasons as part of the conditions of continuing membership in the EFL and upon exiting Administration, the Club will be permitted to sign new players in accordance with the terms of a business plan.

The plan has been jointly agreed by the new ownership and the EFL and any application to register players must comply with the terms of those agreed plans.

EFL CEO Trevor Birch said: “The recent period leading up to and following Administration has been an extremely testing time for the Club, and all associated with Sheffield Wednesday, particularly the players, coaching staff, club employees and supporters.

“Over this period there has been much discussion in relation to the many and varied issues which have arisen, but throughout the process the League has remained focused on engaging with the relevant parties to try and find a solution to secure a stable and sustainable future for Sheffield Wednesday, whilst always acting in the best interests of the EFL and the game more generally.

“Together, we have managed to move this to a successful conclusion and I would like to wish everybody at the Club, in particular the new ownership and their associates, all the very best for a long and prosperous future that will benefit not only those at the Football Club, but also the supporters and the local community it represents.”

In his pre-match press conference, Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen said to BBC Radio Sheffield: “This relief that the past is the past and now we can start to look into the future will be an emotional moment for sure.

“I think some people will start to cry because it has been so tough. If you’ve not been here you can’t imagine how tough it has been.

“This year we have spoken a lot about the human coming first. But everything starts with the top and with David, with Michael, with Tom we get three top humans.

“The human-always-comes-first mentality will come from them because they will live this.

“This mindset to think big, this mindset to understand Sheffield Wednesday – the new owners with Sheffield Wednesday is an amazing cocktail.

“It would mean everything.

“As I said to the boys we can not guarantee a win but we have to guarantee a top performance to see if we could get this win tomorrow in front of a full house and with David, Michael and Tom in the stadium. That would be amazing.

“We have a big job over the summer to prepare a new squad that can bring us a better moment in the future.”

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Championship