September 4 – Daniel Kretinsky is set to become West Ham United’s largest shareholder after agreeing a deal that will take his stake in the club from 27% to around 46%, leaving former Newcastle United investor Amanda Staveley out of the ownership picture.
The Czech billionaire, who first bought from West Ham in 2021, will move ahead of David Sullivan, whose stake is expected to rise slightly from 38.8% to around 40%. American investor Tripp Smith will also increase his stake from 8% to about 11%.
The reshuffle follows Staveley’s attempt to buy the Gold family’s 25.1% stake for around £150m.
Staveley, who helped broker the Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle United before leaving the club in 2024, had agreed terms with Vanessa Gold over the stake. But the deal triggered pre-emptive rights which gave existing West Ham shareholders the chance to buy the shares first.
They have now taken over those rights, ending Staveley’s route to the club via Gold ownership. Kretinsky is expected to walk away with 46% once subsequent stock transactions are completed.
It represents the biggest change to West Ham’s ownership structure since Kretinsky arrived five years ago, initially entering the conversation as part of an investment that made him the club’s second largest shareholder, before steadily increasing his influence.
Sullivan, meanwhile, stepped down as co-chairman and director of West Ham in June following strong allegations of sexual misconduct made by seven women in a joint Times and BBC investigation. Sullivan has categorically denied the allegations.
Subsequently, the Independent Football Regulator opened inquiries into his suitability to remain an owner under the owners, directors and senior executives regime. The regulator has legal powers to require an owner to sell their shares if they are deemed unsuitable, and has contacted the police and the FA as part of its inquiries.
Sullivan is increasing rather than reducing his financial interest in West Ham through the latest deal, although his operational role at the club is no longer. This spells a rather emphatic end to what Staveley saw as a realistic route back into English club ownership, even at Championship level.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at (email protected)