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Thursday, September 3, 2026 · UTC
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Daniel Kretinsky becomes West Ham's largest shareholder with 46% stake

Czech businessman Daniel Kretinsky acquires 46% stake in West Ham, becoming the club's largest shareholder.

TruthFoundry Desk
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Stands on 7 placed sources from 2 publishers.
Daniel Kretinsky, the owner of Royal Mail, has struck a deal to acquire a 46% stake in West Ham United, making him the club's largest shareholder. [1] A pre-emption rights agreement at West Ham gave existing directors first refusal on significant share sales, triggering Kretinsky's agreement to buy shares from Sullivan before the deadline. [2] The deal involves Kretinsky acquiring shares from former chairman David Sullivan, whose stake will rise from 38.8% to 40%, and co-chair Vanessa Gold, who had previously agreed to sell her entire stake to Amanda Staveley. [3] Amanda Staveley had previously struck a deal with the Gold family to purchase their 25.1% stake in West Ham United. [4] The agreement with Kretinsky deals a significant blow to Amanda Staveley's hopes of buying a stake in the club. [5] West Ham's other shareholders exercised their pre-emption rights over the Gold family's stake before a 5:30 pm deadline on Thursday evening. [6] The IFR, an independent regulator, confirmed that its enquiries into the suitability of David Sullivan under its ODSE regime are active and ongoing. [7]
What this stands on
  1. Daniel Kretinsky, the owner of Royal Mail, has struck a deal to acquire a 46% stake in West Ham United, making him the club's largest shareholder. · BBC Sport
  2. A pre-emption rights agreement at West Ham gave existing directors first refusal on significant share sales, triggering Kretinsky's agreement to buy shares from Sullivan before the deadline. · BBC Sport
  3. The deal involves Kretinsky acquiring shares from former chairman David Sullivan, whose stake will rise from 38.8% to 40%, and co-chair Vanessa Gold, who had previously agreed to sell her entire stake to Amanda Staveley. · BBC Sport
  4. Amanda Staveley had previously struck a deal with the Gold family to purchase their 25.1% stake in West Ham United. · The Guardian
  5. The agreement with Kretinsky deals a significant blow to Amanda Staveley's hopes of buying a stake in the club. · The Guardian
  6. West Ham's other shareholders exercised their pre-emption rights over the Gold family's stake before a 5:30 pm deadline on Thursday evening. · The Guardian
  7. The IFR, an independent regulator, confirmed that its enquiries into the suitability of David Sullivan under its ODSE regime are active and ongoing. · BBC Sport
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