David Sullivan Selling West Ham Stake £300m – London 2026

Key Points

• Former West Ham United joint-chairman David Sullivan has stepped down from his role after being made aware of “serious historic allegations” set to be published by British media
• Sullivan, 77, owns 38.8 percent of West Ham United and is now open to selling his stake, which could fetch approximately £300 million
• The BBC and The Times are scheduled to publish a joint investigation into Sullivan’s “behavior” on Monday, though West Ham stated none of the allegations relate to the club or its operations
• Sullivan categorically denies the claims, stating they are “factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life”
• Co-owner Daniel Kretinsky, who bought his 27% stake for £182.5m in 2021, may try to purchase Sullivan’s shares
• West Ham was relegated from the Premier League this season, which has affected the club’s valuation
• Sullivan plans to sue the BBC and other media outlets for libel over the factually incorrect allegations
• Fans have called for Sullivan’s departure for years and are now close to getting their wish following his resignation
• Interim CEO Karim Virani will continue managing the club’s daily operations following Sullivan’s exit
• Clearity over Sullivan’s decision concerning his West Ham future will emerge in the coming weeks.

London (East London Times) June 8, 2026 – Former West Ham United joint-chairman David Sullivan is open to selling his stake in the club, according to The Athletic. The 77-year-old called time on his involvement at West Ham over the weekend, citing claims of false allegations. Sullivan owns 38.8 percent of the Hammers and is now considering selling it, having called the shots since 2016. He could bag £300 million for his stake.

Why Did David Sullivan Step Down as West Ham Joint-Chairman?

As reported by Associated Press of Bleacher Report, Sullivan stepped down on Saturday ahead of what the English soccer club called “historic allegations” to be made against him by British media. West Ham said Sullivan was “made aware of the impending publication of serious historic allegations,” the club announced.

The BBC said later Saturday that the broadcaster and The Times newspaper were due to publish a joint investigation into Sullivan’s “behavior.”

The BBC confirmed its story will run on Monday. Sullivan published porn magazines and films in the late 1970s and 1980s before entering football ownership.

What Did David Sullivan Say About the Allegations?

According to a statement published by West Ham United, as reported by Associated Press of Bleacher Report, Sullivan said he became aware of

“factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life due to be broadcast and published”.

“After a lifetime spent building businesses in the adult industry in which I have met thousands of women, it is sadly inevitable that a small number of improper conduct claims are being made against me. I categorically deny these claims,”

Sullivan stated.

Sullivan further clarified:

“None of these allegations relate to my more than 30 years in football”.

West Ham also separately stated it

“understood none of the allegations relate to West Ham United or any of its operations”.

The east London club added that Sullivan denied any wrongdoing but decided to step down to “avoid disruption” to the club while he handles the undisclosed matter “privately”.

Who Might Buy David Sullivan’s West Ham Shares?

Co-owner Daniel Kretinsky bought his 27% stake for £182.5m in 2021, and he may try to buy Sullivan’s shares.

As reported by Times of India, Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky completed his purchase of a 27 percent stake in West Ham, with the club stating “it is intended” that Kretinsky and his colleague Pavel Horsky would become members of the board at the London Stadium.

According to Sports Business Journal, Kretinsky’s investment in West Ham values the club at roughly £600M ($804.3M), or £700M ($938.4M) including debt. The deal reduced Sullivan’s shareholding from 51.5% to 38.8%, making him the club’s second-largest shareholder after the transaction.

However, as reported by London Evening Standard, Kretinsky has agreed an option for a full takeover of West Ham as part of his investment in the club.

Documents submitted to Companies House show a put and call agreement between Sullivan and Kretinsky’s holding company, where Sullivan has the right to sell his shares to Kretinsky at an already agreed price, while Kretinsky also holds the option to buy Sullivan’s shares.

Nevertheless, there another buyer could emerge after PAI Capital made a £400m bid to buy the club in October 2021.

How Has West Ham’s Premier League Relegation Affected the Club’s Value?

West Ham was relegated from the Premier League this season. As reported by Sky News, Sullivan has departed just weeks after the club’s relegation to the Championship.

However, would-be buyers may be reluctant to offer less than £300m, as relegation has affected the club’s value .

The financial implications of West Ham being relegated from the Premier League have been significant, with financial experts explaining the challenging implications of the downgrade.

What Have West Ham Fans Said About David Sullivan’s Departure?

West Ham fans have called for Sullivan’s departure for years and are getting close to getting their wish following his resignation.

Nothing is guaranteed yet, but his exit could be on the cards after he signalled his interest in selling his stake after stepping down.

The Hammers will not be short of suitors, and supporters will hope a consortium capable of helping them secure an immediate return to the Premier League buys Sullivan’s shares. Clarity over his decision concerning his West Ham future will emerge in the coming weeks, and fans cannot wait to see the back of him.

What Legal Action Is David Sullivan Planning?

West Ham also separately published a statement from Sullivan, where he said he was planning to sue the BBC and other media for libel. Sullivan categorically denies the claims and says he will challenge them through legal action.

Who Will Manage West Ham Following Sullivan’s Exit?

The club said interim CEO Karim Virani would continue to manage the club’s daily operations. West Ham was already dealing with the exit of vice chair Karren Brady in April, and Sullivan got involved in soccer when he bought into Birmingham City in 1993, leaving in 2009 before buying a stake in West Ham a year later.

David Gold, co-chairman of West Ham, was Sullivan’s long-time business partner dating to his beginnings in adult entertainment and his ventures into soccer ownership. He died in 2023.

Background of This Development

David Sullivan, 77, became involved in football ownership when he bought into Birmingham City in 1993, leaving in 2009. A year later, in 2010, he bought a stake in West Ham United, where he had called the shots since 2016. His long-time business partner David Gold, who co-owned the club with him, died in 2023.

Sullivan’s entry into West Ham occurred after his earlier career in the adult entertainment industry, where he published porn magazines and films in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Over a lifetime spent building businesses in the adult industry, Sullivan stated he met thousands of women, which he claimed made it “sadly inevitable” that improper conduct claims would be made against him.

The ownership structure of West Ham has evolved significantly over the years. When Daniel Kretinsky purchased his 27 percent stake in November 2021 for approximately £180-200M, Sullivan’s shareholding reduced from 51.5% to 38.8%. Gold’s share was also reduced by 10% to 25.1%. Kretinsky, who co-owns Czech club Sparta Prague, was appointed to the board alongside Sullivan and Gold.

The club’s recent relegation from the Premier League this season has significantly impacted its valuation, which was previously valued at roughly £600M including debt before Kretinsky’s investment. Sullivan’s resignation comes just weeks after this relegation, adding to the club’s ongoing challenges.

Prediction: How This Development Will Affect West Ham Fans

This development can significantly affect West Ham United fans in several ways. Fans have called for Sullivan’s departure for years, and his potential exit could finally deliver the leadership change they have sought .

The Hammers will not be short of suitors for Sullivan’s shares, and supporters will hope a consortium capable of helping them secure an immediate return to the Premier League buys his stake .

The sale of Sullivan’s 38.8 percent stake could bring substantial financial resources to the club, potentially aiding their Championship campaign and facilitating an immediate return to top-flight football.

If Daniel Kretinsky exercises his option to purchase Sullivan’s shares, he could become the club’s majority shareholder, potentially bringing stability under single ownership.

However, would-be buyers may be reluctant to offer less than £300m due to the club’s reduced value following relegation, which could delay the sale process. Clarity over Sullivan’s decision concerning his West Ham future will emerge in the coming weeks, and fans cannot wait to see the back of him.

The potential takeover could also bring new management strategies and investment in players, which fans have long demanded.

With interim CEO Karim Virani continuing to manage daily operations, the club maintains stability during this transition period. The outcome of Sullivan’s decision will directly impact the club’s ability to compete for promotion and potentially fulfill fans’ expectations of an immediate Premier League return.