Tottenham Rejects Interest from Consortium Led by Brooklyn Earick
Tottenham Hotspur has "unequivocally rejected" an informal expression of interest from a consortium led by American tech entrepreneur Brooklyn Earick.
This marks the third expression of interest that the club's board has turned down since the sudden departure of executive chairman Daniel Levy earlier this month.
In a statement, Enic Sports & Developments Holdings Ltd, which holds nearly 87% of Tottenham's shares, reaffirmed that the club is not for sale and that Enic does not intend to sell its stake.
Earick has ignited speculation by posting an image of the dressing room at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on social media, featuring a timer counting down 27 days to October 24.
According to UK takeover and merger regulations, following a rejected expression of interest, Earick's consortium must either submit a formal offer by that date or announce its intention not to proceed.
Earick, a former DJ and NASA researcher, founded Redacted RnD, which focuses on technology, media, sports, and entertainment.
The majority of Enic is owned by the family of UK businessman Joe Lewis, while approximately 30% is held by Levy and his family.
A source close to the Lewis family reiterated that the club is not for sale, stating, "This unsolicited and unnecessary interest does nothing to change the family’s resolve and commitment to do whatever it takes to drive success on the pitch."
On September 8, the club also rejected approaches from Amanda Staveley’s PCP International Finance Limited and a consortium led by Dr. Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has received assurances regarding the club’s future from the Lewis family and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham. "The Lewis family has been very transparent and communicative, and it is clear that the club is not for sale," he said. "Vinai has been very clear, and personally, I feel I am in a stable environment coming to work every day."
Levy, who served as the Premier League's longest-serving chairman, is estimated to have earned over £50 million ($67.5 million) during his nearly 25 years in the role. However, he faced regular protests from Spurs fans, particularly last season.
The north London club secured its first trophy in 16 years by defeating Manchester United in the Europa League final in May.
Speculation Surrounding Tottenham's Ownership
Today's announcement from the Tottenham board is seen by insiders as largely a formality. Market regulations necessitate formal statements following speculation about potential buyouts.
Sources have indicated to BBC Sport that Earick was prompted to issue a statement to the London Stock Exchange following a national newspaper report claiming he was leading a takeover bid. Nevertheless, it was ultimately up to Tottenham and Enic to address the speculation publicly, despite Earick's social media posts about the reported bid.
The seriousness of Earick's advances will become clearer in the coming weeks. However, it is evident that Tottenham is currently perceived as a club that could be purchased.
The recent surge of interest from potential buyers is largely attributed to Levy's departure, which some interpret as a sign that the Lewis family is preparing to sell the club. However, public and private communications strongly contradict the notion that the club is on the market.
The Lewis family maintains that the club is not for sale, yet this has not deterred groups from exploring their interest. In addition to Earick, a consortium involving Staveley is among several parties undeterred by the Lewis family's stance.
If Earick is serious about his intentions, we may soon discover just how committed the Lewis family is to leading Tottenham into a new era post-Levy.