The Athletic FC Podcast: Are Tottenham's Owners Looking to Sell?
Release Date: October 24, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, host IO Akamolera delves into the speculative rumors surrounding the potential sale of Tottenham Hotspur's ownership. With insights from Tottenham Hotspur writer Jack Pitt Brooke and football analyst Matt Slater, the discussion navigates through the current ownership structure, the possibility of new investments, and the broader implications for the club's future both on and off the pitch.

Current Ownership Structure

IO Akamolera opens the conversation by highlighting the stability of Tottenham's ownership:

"Tottenham are looking for investors with Amanda Staveley's name brought into the conversation, having broken the Saudi public investment fund takeover of Newcastle United." [02:14]

Jack Pitt Brooke provides a detailed breakdown of the ownership:

"86.58% of Tottenham Hotspur is owned by Enoch. Mr. Daniel Levy and certain members of his family are potential beneficiaries of discretionary trusts, which ultimately own 29.88% of the share capital of Enoch. A discretionary trust, of which certain members of Mr. Joe Lewis family are potential beneficiaries, ultimately owns 70.12% of the share capital of Enec." [02:56]

This structure underscores Daniel Levy's long-term control over the club, having served as chairman for nearly 24 years.

Potential Investment and Amanda Staveley

The podcast shifts focus to the speculation surrounding Amanda Staveley and her potential role in investing in Tottenham:

IO Akamolera raises the question:

"Amanda Staveley's potential involvement in investing in Tottenham—is she a suitable candidate to take the club forward?" [02:14]

Jack Pitt Brooke responds:

"Tottenham are very open about what they're looking for. The speculation generally is around, let's say a 10% stake of the club for, let's say, £400 million." [09:17]

Matt Slater adds context to Staveley's reputation:

"She was an amazing front woman for that particular bid at Newcastle. She surprises a lot of people in the industry and earns their respect for that particular piece of work." [30:18]

Despite her previous successes, there are uncertainties about whether Staveley aligns with Daniel Levy's vision for the club.

Financial Aspects and Club Valuation

The conversation delves into the financial intricacies of Tottenham's valuation and the potential investment required:

Football Analyst explains the disparity between Tottenham's valuation and real market figures:

"Levy's basically applied a whopping 33% premium on what pretty much everybody in the industry thinks Spurs are worth. [...] are nowhere near 4 billion." [12:39]

Jack Pitt Brooke highlights Tottenham's revenue strength:

"They got the fourth biggest revenue in the Premier League for the 20, 22, 23 season. £549 million." [06:23]

However, the analyst points out that despite high revenues, the valuation remains contentious:

"Nobody values Spurs at 4 billion. The sum here that Levy is doing is he's basically saying because we're elite, right? I've said we're elite." [15:25]

Impact on Performance and Future Prospects

The podcast examines how ownership changes and investments might influence Tottenham's on-field performance:

IO Akamolera emphasizes the necessity of maintaining competitive performance:

"This team still needs to operate properly on the football field and win games." [17:11]

Jack Pitt Brooke notes the inconsistency in recent performances:

"The inconsistency on the pitch which they've had in the last five or six years is obviously going to have a knock on effect on how much money they can bring in." [17:29]

Football Analyst discusses the relationship between financial investment and on-field success:

"If you do well on the pitch, your broadcast income goes up. Qualify for the Champions League every year... your commercial income goes up." [11:30]

Fan Reactions and Club Culture

The discussion addresses fan sentiment towards potential ownership changes and increased investment:

Jack Pitt Brooke shares varying fan perspectives:

"There's a broad range of views, to put it mildly, but I certainly don't think that the fans are kind of clamoring for this particular option." [34:56]

Football Analyst elaborates on the cultural fit between new investors and the club’s existing structure:

"Levy prefers to work with somebody very anonymous, very discreet, very rich. Amanda Staveley doesn't tick those boxes in quite the same way." [33:15]

Football Governance Bill and Its Impact

The episode touches upon the new football governance bill and its potential effects on foreign investment:

Matt Slater provides an update on the governance bill:

"The governance bill's back. [...] It will probably be law by the end of the football season. And I don't think it will scare anyone away." [36:42]

He further explains that the bill aims to ensure better financial sustainability and protect against rogue ownership, potentially making clubs like Tottenham more attractive to serious investors.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with reflections on the future of Tottenham's ownership and the broader landscape of Premier League investments:

IO Akamolera concludes:

"Look at you soon." [40:57]

The discussion leaves listeners contemplating whether Tottenham will embrace new investments and how such changes might shape the club’s trajectory in the competitive environment of English football.

Notable Quotes

• IO Akamolera [02:14]: "Tottenham are looking for investors with Amanda Staveley's name brought into the conversation..."

• Jack Pitt Brooke [02:56]: Detailed ownership breakdown emphasizing Daniel Levy's control.

• Football Analyst [12:39]: "Nobody values Spurs at 4 billion. The sum here that Levy is doing is he's basically saying because we're elite..."

• Jack Pitt Brooke [34:56]: "There's a broad range of views, to put it mildly, but I certainly don't think that the fans are kind of clamoring for this particular option."

• Football Analyst [33:15]: "Levy prefers to work with somebody very anonymous, very discreet, very rich. Amanda Staveley doesn't tick those boxes in quite the same way."

Final Thoughts

This episode provides a comprehensive examination of the potential shifts in Tottenham Hotspur's ownership landscape. Through expert analysis and in-depth discussion, listeners gain a clear understanding of the complexities involved in football club investments, the delicate balance between maintaining club culture and embracing financial growth, and the possible future scenarios that lie ahead for Spurs.

For more insights and detailed analyses, listen to the full episode of The Athletic FC Podcast on Acast.