Despite facing an initial roadblock in her pursuit of a football ownership return, Amanda Staveley’s prospective entry into West Ham United may still be alive. According to prominent football finance expert Stefan Borson, the door remains wide open for the high-profile dealmaker to secure a stake in the London club, provided a series of unfolding boardroom developments break in her favor.
Staveley, who famously stepped down from her minority shareholding role at Newcastle United in July 2024, has spent the summer months orchestrating a consortium aimed at acquiring a foothold in the capital club. Earlier this year, reports indicated that the 53-year-old financier had struck a preliminary agreement with Vanessa Gold to purchase the Gold family’s lucrative 25.1 percent stake in the club.
However, that straightforward path was temporarily blocked when existing shareholder Daniel Kretinsky exercised his pre-emption rights to muscle in ahead of her, striking a deal that will elevate the Czech businessman’s stake to roughly 46 percent.
The Sullivan Investigation and the Open Loophole
While Kretinsky’s maneuver positions him as the presumptive future kingpin of the club alongside co-owner David Sullivan, Borson believes that unexpected twists could completely alter the ownership landscape. Speaking on Talksport, the financial analyst pointed directly to the regulatory pressures surrounding Sullivan—who remains under ongoing scrutiny from the police as well as the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) following a series of serious allegations regarding his conduct.
“If you look at the scenario that we have with Sullivan, he’s still under investigation by the police, but also the IFR is seeking further information,” Borson explained. “And they may well decide that he’s not fit to continue as a director, or a significant shareholder, of the club. Now if that was to happen, then those shares are then in play.”
If regulatory intervention forces Sullivan to divest his holdings, the ownership puzzle resets. Because Staveley and her consortium have already done the heavy lifting, laying extensive groundwork and conducting thorough due diligence during their initial summer pursuit, they would be uniquely positioned to swoop in and bid directly for those newly available shares.
Alternatively, Borson notes that Kretinsky may ultimately look for a strategic co-investor to help shoulder the massive financial weight required to completely buy out Sullivan, presenting another viable backdoor entry point for Staveley’s group.
Capitalizing on West Ham’s Slashed Valuation
The intense financial interest in the Hammers makes complete sense when examining the club’s shifting market value. When Kretinsky initially purchased his 27 percent stake back in 2021, West Ham were valued at a commanding £700 million. However, the club’s recent relegation from the Premier League has taken a noticeable toll on their financial standing.
The recent sale of the Gold family stake was valued at £150 million, pegging the Hammers’ overall valuation at around £600 million—a £100 million drop resulting directly from top-flight demotion. For savvy investors like Staveley, this depressed valuation represents a glaring buy-low opportunity. With West Ham possessing vastly superior financial resources compared to the rest of the EFL Championship, securing promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt is imperative.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side has enjoyed an encouraging start to their redemption campaign, collecting 11 points from their opening six matches and stringing together three consecutive wins. If Nuno can successfully guide the Hammers back into the promised land, the club’s theoretical valuation will skyrocket overnight, turning an opportunistic investment into a hugely lucrative asset.
For now, Daniel Kretinsky appears to hold the ultimate cards in East London. But with regulatory investigations looming and a restless financial backing eager to break into the boardroom, Amanda Staveley’s West Ham chapter may be far from finished.
