Tottenham Hotspur has emphatically declared it is “not for sale” after rejecting two preliminary buyout offers in the wake of executive chairman Daniel Levy‘s departure. The proclamation, made late Sunday, comes after speculation of an imminent takeover following Levy’s exit last week.
The club confirmed approaches from PCP International Finance Limited, led by Amanda Staveley – a former shareholder of Newcastle United – and a consortium spearheaded by Dr. Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited.Both were rebuffed.
“The Board of the club and ENIC confirm that Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale and ENIC has no intention to accept any such offer to acquire its interest in the Club,” a statement released by ENIC Sports & Developments Holdings Ltd – which holds almost 87% of Tottenham – affirmed.
UK takeover rules now prevent PCP International Finance from making another offer for six months.
Joe Lewis and his family reportedly control the majority of ENIC, with approximately 30% held by Mr. Levy and his family. Mr. Levy, the Premier League’s longest-serving chairman, earned an estimated £50 million ($67.5 million) during his nearly 25 years in the role.His tenure, however, was marked by frequent protests from Spurs fans, especially last season.
Spurs stated Mr. Levy’s departure last week was “part of the Club’s ambition to ensure that it is set up to deliver long-term sporting success.” Mr. Levy himself said he was “incredibly proud” of building the club into “a global heavyweight competing at the highest level.”
