Who Owns West Ham United F.C.

West Ham United Football Club is a professional football team based in Stratford, East London. Established in 1895 as Thames Ironworks, the club was reformed as West Ham United in 1900.

However, they joined the Football League in 1919 and were promoted to the top flight in 1923, reaching the FA Cup final that same year.

West Ham has won five major honors: three FA Cups (1964, 1975, 1980), the European Cup Winners’ Cup (1965), and the Europa Conference League (2023).

West Ham United F.C. Ownership History

The club was originally set up as a limited company and was known for being a “family-owned” club for many years. This reputation came from the Cearns family, who were connected to the club from its foundation.

J.W.Y. (Jimmy) Cearns, one of the early members, worked at Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company and became a founding member of the club. He served as a director from 1900 to 1934.

His son, W.J. Cearns, took over as chairman in 1935 and stayed in that role until 1950. Then, W.J.’s son, Len Cearns, stepped in as a director in 1948.

Len became vice-chairman in 1950 and then chairman in 1979, a position he held until 1990. Len’s brothers, Will and Brian Cearns, also served as directors during this period, keeping the club closely tied to their family.

For much of the 20th century, the club’s shares were tightly controlled by the board. After the death of Arnold Hills, one of the original major shareholders, the board bought many of the unsold shares.

This tight-knit control lasted until 2006 when the club was sold to new owners. In 1990, Terry Brown joined West Ham as a board member and became chairman in 1992.

While he played an important part in the club, some fans criticized him for how he managed finances and staff. In 2006, he sold the club to an Icelandic consortium for £85 million, earning £33.4 million from the sale.

The Icelandic ownership period began with Eggert Magnússon and Björgólfur Guðmundsson taking charge. Magnússon initially served as chairman but stepped down in 2007, retaining a small share of the club.

Later that year, Guðmundsson took full control. However, the Icelandic financial crisis in 2008 caused major problems. Straumur-Burdaras, an Icelandic bank, ended up taking control of the club through a company called CB Holding.

This was the start of a period of financial uncertainty for West Ham, as the club faced difficulties linked to the economic troubles in Iceland.

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Who Owns West Ham United F.C. Now?

West Ham United F.C. is currently owned by David Sullivan, David Gold (until his passing in January 2023), and the American investment group 777 Partners.

Sullivan and Gold have been involved with the club since 2010. They acquired a 50% share from CB Holding, giving them control over the club’s operations and business matters.

Later in 2010, they bought an additional 10% stake, bringing their total to 60%. They even suggested at the time that fans might have the chance to buy shares in the future.

By August 2010, Sullivan and Gold each held 30.6% of the club’s shares. At that point, a few minority investors, including former owner Terry Brown, came in, purchasing around 3.8% of the club.

The Icelandic bank Straumur, which had been part of the club’s ownership, was left with 35% of the shares. In July 2013, Sullivan acquired an additional 25% of shares from CB Holdings, which was owned by Straumur, a bank from Iceland. This purchase reduced Straumur’s stake in the club to just 10%.

Over the next few years, Sullivan reduced the club’s debts, which were over £70 million in 2013. In 2014, he announced plans to sell 20% of the club’s shares to raise money to pay off these debts, which was a necessary step to make the Olympic Stadium move possible.

David Gold, one of the long-time owners, passed away on January 4, 2023, at the age of 86. Following his death, Sullivan continued to lead the club.

The ownership structure saw a major change in 2023 when the American investment group 777 Partners purchased a large share in West Ham.

This group, known for investing in football clubs around the world, now holds a major stake in West Ham, making them part of the ownership alongside Sullivan.

How Much Is West Ham United Worth?

In 2024, West Ham United is worth around $1.1 billion (£880 million). The club is ranked as the 16th most valuable football team in the world, with only a few other English clubs being ahead of it, including top teams like Manchester United and Liverpool.

Looking at the club’s growth, West Ham’s value has increased a lot over the years. Back in 2007, the club was worth just $195 million. Its value has nearly increased six times in the past 17 years.

This rise in value is mainly due to higher earnings from TV deals, commercial partnerships, and matchday income, especially after the team moved to the London Stadium.

The larger stadium, which holds 60,000 fans, helps bring in more money from ticket sales and events. In the 2022-2023 season, West Ham earned about $289 million (£239 million) in revenue.

Although this was lower than in previous years, it was still a substantial amount. The club also made an operating income of around $66 million (£55 million) in that same year.

One major boost to their finances came from winning the Europa Conference League in 2023. The victory brought in over $24 million in prize money and participation fees.

Ken Anucha

Kenneth is a an avid soccer follower, fan and writer. He is a consistent follower of the sport and is a fan of Chelsea FC.