West Ham United has muddied the waters surrounding Shaquille O’Neal’s reported interest in investing in the club, according to CandH and West Ham insider Sean Whetstone.
Club sources maintain they have no knowledge of any direct discussions or proposals from Shaquille O’Neal regarding potential investment in West Ham.
While West Ham dismisses any direct contact, they crucially don’t deny the possibility of O’Neal approaching the Gold family, whose shares have been available since last October. This leaves room for speculation.
Since the Gold family announced the sale of their shares, interest has emerged from investors in the Middle East and the USA.
Earlier this year, reports surfaced suggesting West Ham is actively seeking new investment, potentially from Middle Eastern sources.
The Times previously linked Qatari investor Sheikh Jassim, whose family boasts immense wealth, to a possible purchase of the Gold family’s stake.
When the Gold family initially offered their shares, West Ham’s current co-owners, David Sullivan and Daniel Kretinsky, remained undecided about acquiring them.
West Ham’s response casts doubt on any direct talks with Shaquille O’Neal, but the door for discussions with the Gold family remains open. This adds to the uncertainty surrounding West Ham’s ownership structure. With the Gold family’s shares still on the market and the club actively seeking new investors, the future ownership of West Ham United remains an intriguing saga to follow.