Exclusive: McEvoy–Storch Bid Gains Edge in Sheffield Wednesday Takeover Race as Administrators Favour US Consortium

John McEvoy and The Storch family, who are working on a joint-bid for Sheffield Wednesday, are currently leading the race to buy the financially stricken Championship club, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

Although retail tycoon Mike Ashley remains in the running and poker player James Bord has provided substantial proof of funds, sources with knowledge of the sale process last night insisted that the partnership between two North American billionaires is the administrators preferred option at present.

Bord, who intriguingly advised the group which 12 months ago purchased The Owls’ bitter enemies Sheffield United, had been believed to have jumped to the front of the queue after demonstrating he has access to the money required to force through a deal. 

Crucially, though, the checks and balances required to pass the English Football League’s fit and proper persons checks, have not yet been performed - meaning McEvoy and the Storch’s are still confident of seizing control of a team which is destined for relegation after being hit with two sets of points deductions.

Initially, they approached Kris Whigfield, one of those tasked with selling Wednesday and guiding them out of administration, with rival offers before deciding to roll them into one. 

APPEALING OPTION

Their resources and knowledge of professional sport, with McEvoy holding stakes in the Nashville Predators and Colorado Rockies, are likely to make them the most appealing option to Begbies Traynor - the company Whigfield works for. 

Although less is known about The Storch family, one member is known to be an avid football fan having pressed his relatives to explore moves for Plymouth Argyle, Cardiff City and Blackpool.

Importantly for BT, as they attempt to secure the highest possible price for a side which will be playing in League One next year, doing business with McEvoy and The Storch’s would provide The Ows with access to greater funding than Ashley or Bord, who is also connected to Dunfermiline Athletic. 

This does not necessarily mean a bigger transfer kitty - as Henrik Pedersen waits to find out if he will remain at the helm despite doing an excellent job of galvanising an embattled squad - but certainly a greater guarantee of stability following chaotic final days of Dejphon Chansiri’s reign.

Whigfield had hoped to grant exclusivity to one interested party by the start of the month. However, Wednesday’s asking price of £30m has delayed progress.