No. A December 2025 report said a joint bid involving John McEvoy and members of the Storch family was competing with Mike Ashley, but neither that report nor the later sale records show that group buying Sheffield Wednesday. The club was sold to Arise Capital Partners, a consortium involving David Storch, Michael Storch and Tom Costin, in May 2026.
What happened to the McEvoy–Storch bid?
On 19 December 2025, BBC Sport reported that two offers appeared to remain in the contest: Mike Ashley’s and a joint American bid by billionaire John McEvoy and members of the Storch family. That was a report of the contest at that moment, not confirmation that the group had become preferred bidder or would complete a purchase. Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan said then: “There should be a new owner coming in the next couple of days, hopefully,” adding that “we see that the takeover’s close.” His remarks reflected expectations at the time, not a guarantee of a sale. BBC Sport, 19 December 2025.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Sheffield Wednesday FC: The Official History | $23.71 | Buy on Amazon |
Five days later, BBC Sport reported that David Storch had clarified his bid was in partnership with Tom Costin, co-founder and managing partner of Owl Ventures, rather than McEvoy. The names and descriptions of bidders therefore shifted as the process continued. BBC Sport, 24 December 2025.
Who became preferred bidder and bought the club?
The reported December contest was not the final outcome. On 15 January 2026, The National reported that a consortium led by Alsharif Faisal bin Jamil, with James Bord and Felix Romer, had become preferred bidder, ahead of interest from Ashley, McEvoy and the Storch family. That account described an intervening stage of a changing process; it was not the eventual sale announcement. The National, 15 January 2026.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
On 10 March, Sheffield Wednesday’s administrators named Arise Capital Partners LLC as the new preferred bidder after the previous preferred bidder withdrew. Their statement identified David Storch, Michael Storch and Tom Costin as the group’s principals, and said Arise had supplied a substantial deposit and evidence of funds. The administrators called its proposal the strongest available after restarting the process. Sheffield Wednesday administrators, 10 March 2026.
The EFL confirmed on 2 May 2026 that an agreement had been reached to transfer the club’s assets to Arise Capital Partners, led by David Storch with Michael Storch and Tom Costin. The administrators confirmed completion on 5 May. The buyer was therefore Arise—not the McEvoy–Storch group described in the December report, and not Ashley. EFL, 2 May 2026; Administrators, 5 May 2026.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How did the takeover affect Sheffield Wednesday’s points and finances?
The club entered administration on 24 October 2025. The EFL said that triggered an automatic 12-point deduction under the regulations then in force. This was a league consequence of entering administration, separate from the later decision about any additional sanction. EFL, 24 October 2025.
When it confirmed the Arise agreement on 2 May 2026, the EFL said it did not consider a further 15-point deduction appropriate after the club exited administration. That was not a reversal of the automatic 12-point deduction. The league also said Sheffield Wednesday would remain subject to a budget restriction for the next two seasons. EFL, 2 May 2026.
Did Mike Ashley buy Sheffield Wednesday?
No. Ashley was reported as a rival bidder to the McEvoy–Storch group in December 2025, but the sale completed with Arise Capital Partners in May 2026. The available announcements establish the successful buyer and the changing preferred-bidder process; they do not disclose the original bid terms or the complete confidential details of every offer. BBC Sport, 19 December 2025; EFL, 2 May 2026.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
