James Bord Selected as Preferred Bidder for Sheffield Wednesday
Former professional poker player James Bord has been selected as the preferred bidder to acquire Sheffield Wednesday, as confirmed by BBC Sport.
The Owls have been in administration since October, marking the end of a decade under the ownership of Dejphon Chansiri.
On Wednesday, the club's administrators announced that a deal had been reached with a prospective buyer.
London-born Bord began his career with gambling firms Starlizard and Smartodds before achieving significant success on the poker circuit, winning $4.3 million (£3.18 million).
He currently operates Short Circuit Science, a data company that leverages artificial intelligence for sports analytics. Bord previously served in an advisory capacity for COH Sports during their acquisition of Sheffield United last summer, but he no longer has ties to the Owls' rivals.
Under the name Park Bench SFC LLC, Bord holds stakes in Spanish Segunda Division club Cordoba CF and Bulgarian side Septemvri Sofia.
Based in Las Vegas, Bord has owned Dunfermline with his partner Evan Sofer for nearly a year, attending his first game in person last weekend, which resulted in a 3-2 home defeat to Ayr United.
It remains unclear who else is part of Bord's consortium to purchase Wednesday, who currently sit at the bottom of the Championship table with -9 points due to deductions. It is also uncertain whether the bid will be associated with Park Bench SFC LLC.
Bord's proposal must still pass the EFL's Owners and Directors test, which could present challenges due to his previous involvement in gambling.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, joint administrator Paul Stanley indicated that the decision to proceed with a preferred bidder was made following "extensive financial, legal, and forensic due diligence, supported by specialist advisors."
"This work has progressed significantly since the early stages of the process and has included a thorough assessment of funding sources, ownership structure, and governance," the statement continued.
While the statement did not specify which party was successful, it highlighted that the consortium "also brings existing experience in football ownership, including majority and minority interests in clubs operating within regulated league systems."
Other bidders for the club include former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and American ex-aviation CEO David Storch, who is partnered with Tom Costin from Blue Crow Sports Group, an investment platform that holds controlling interests in clubs such as French side Le Havre, Spanish club CD Leganes, and Cancun FC in Mexico.
When the initial stage of the takeover process concluded on November 21, it was reported that approximately 10 parties remained in contention.
Since entering administration, Wednesday has faced two points deductions, leaving them 30 points adrift from safety and on the verge of relegation to League One.
Mixed Reactions and Unanswered Questions
Rob Staton, BBC Radio Sheffield
The news has elicited mixed reactions from supporters online. Bord's consultancy role at Sheffield United was not viewed as successful, with some at Bramall Lane believing it contributed to a tumultuous summer that has led to a challenging season shortly after nearing promotion to the Premier League.
Questions remain regarding the financial backing behind this bid, the strategic plan beyond a focus on analytics for recruitment, and whether they can identify signings that can be developed into valuable assets.
Conversely, some supporters appreciate the analytical approach and the consortium's experience from their involvement with other clubs.
Others simply express relief that the process has progressed after a period of speculation and uncertainty. Regardless of opinion, the consortium faces a substantial challenge should they finalize the acquisition of the club, and it will be interesting to see if Bord's group shares any plans for Wednesday before completing the deal.