Recent speculation surrounding a potential change in ownership at Tottenham Hotspur has been firmly quashed, with the club stating that it is not for sale. This announcement follows the departure of Daniel Levy as executive chairman after nearly 25 years in the role, a move that stirred speculation about a possible takeover.
The club has confirmed that ENIC Sports & Developments Holdings Ltd, the majority shareholder, has rejected two preliminary expressions of interest. One offer came from Amanda Staveley's PCP International Finance Limited, a former shareholder at Newcastle United. The other was from a consortium led by Dr. Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng, operating through Firehawk Holdings Limited.
In a statement, Tottenham Hotspur emphasized that ENIC has no intention of accepting any offer to relinquish its stake in the club. ENIC currently holds 86.5% of the club's shares. The club also pointed out that any successful bid for ENIC would trigger a mandatory offer for the remaining shares under UK Takeover Code Rule 9. To clarify their positions, both PCP and the Kennedy-Ng consortium have until October 5, 2025, to announce a firm intention to make an offer or declare they will not be pursuing one.
The majority of ENIC is owned by British businessman Joe Lewis and his family, who also control the Tavistock Group, a private equity company. While Levy no longer holds the executive chairman position, he reportedly retains a stake of nearly 30% in ENIC. In 2022, Joe Lewis handed control of his stake in Tottenham to his family trust. Recent months have seen hierarchical changes within the club, with Joe Lewis's children, Vivienne and Charlie, playing key roles in decision-making. In April, Vinai Venkatesham was appointed as the new chief executive, and Peter Charrington assumed the newly created role of non-executive chairman following Levy's departure. At the time of Levy's exit, Tottenham stated that there would be no changes to the ownership or shareholder structure.
Daniel Levy's departure marks the end of a significant era for Tottenham Hotspur. Appointed chairman in 2001, he became the Premier League's longest-serving chairman. Levy was instrumental in the club's growth, including the construction of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Enfield Training Centre. During his tenure, Tottenham consistently invested in its academy, players, and facilities, becoming a globally recognized football club. The club has competed in European competitions in 18 of the last 20 seasons and secured a Europa League cup win. While some fans protested his running of the club, particularly last season, Levy is estimated to have earned over £50m during his time as chairman.
The club's recent statement emphasizes a focus on stability and empowering its personnel, led by CEO Vinai Venkatesham. The new leadership team aims to build on the foundations laid and ensure long-term sporting success.