Mike Ashley eyeing shock football return four years after Newcastle United sale
Mike Ashley’s actions since selling Newcastle United have hinted at a possible return to football.
Mike Ashley is reportedly considering a shock move to buy cash-strapped Sheffield Wednesday.
Current owner Dejphon Chansiri - who bought the Owls in 2015 - announced his desire to sell over the summer. Late payments to HMRC, multiple failures to pay the wages, and rising debts have plunged Wednesday into turmoil.
On-field performances have nosedived, with Wednesday sitting second bottom of the Championship. Supporters have protested vehemently in recent months - and even the club’s official mascot took a stand earlier this month.
Sheffield Wednesday mascot leads protest
After proudly sporting a black and gold protest scarf during a game against Queens Park Rangers, the Wednesday mascot posted on X: "I'm a fan first, and an employee second - this is my 20th season working for the club I love, starting when I was 18 years old. I stand with the fans. Without them, there is no Sheffield Wednesday.
"I’m match-day staff only, paid the same as stewards. I’ve had no pay issues personally (so far), but I don't do this for the money - I do it for the fans and for the badge. Since this isn’t my main job, I’m in a position where I can speak out - many others aren’t.
"Please continue to show empathy and respect for ALL staff who can’t. It’s been difficult watching dedicated colleagues grow demoralised by the silence - the lack of clear communication about their pay, roles, and the club’s future is taking a real toll.
"Like many others, I believe a change in ownership is the only way to safeguard the long-term future of the club - and the immediate short-term stability of the staff who work here. As it says in my bio: these are my views, not those of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club. My views and actions are independent of the club and any supporters groups or trusts. Up the Owls."
Mike Ashley on the horizon?
Various sources claim former Newcastle United owner Ashley could be poised to take over. The Sports Direct tycoon - detested by Toon supporters for his 14-year reign - famously keeps a low public profile and has said little since selling the Magpies in October 2021.
He did consider saving Derby County before their eventual takeover three years ago. Ashley also bought Coventry City’s stadium - which he no longer owns - to highlight a continued interest in football.
The 61-year-old will never be welcome on Tyneside but does possess a cut-throat financial acumen that could help Wednesday balance the books. Any progress beyond that, however, might be beyond their reach given Ashley’s lack of ambition as Newcastle owner.
‘I’m a negative’ - Mike Ashley
Rewind to a time when Ashley gave arguably his most honest account of his time as Newcastle owner. He told the Daily Mail in 2019: “I'm a negative to that football club,' he says, without a hint of self-pity.
“It's not a secret. I don't feel sorry for myself. It is down to me, not Newcastle. I give myself one out of five in some aspects because I made proper mistakes, and football isn't a very forgiving place. I didn't just shoot myself in the foot; I blew my own leg off.
“People would look at me and think I'd gone temporarily insane. They didn't know what I was doing. It is so much bigger than when I got involved. I thought at the time I could put in £10million, £20million and it would make a big difference. And it would have done. Now - it's nothing.
“Put in £10million and it's a joke. OK, that's how the market is. But it's not something I can afford, and it's not something Newcastle can afford while I own it. The overriding reality is that I am just not wealthy enough to own Newcastle. I genuinely believe you need £1billion. People say £500million but I'd bet anyone that these days you can't do it for that. Not to compete at the very top.”