Rumours are circulating on social media that Kansas City Chiefs boss Clark Hunt could be involved in current takeover talks at West Brom.
Albion’s managing director Mark Miles confirmed last month that takeover talks with interested parties are ongoing as current owner Guochuan Lai targets investment or a full takeover amid financial uncertainty at the Championship club.
Despite the club’s poor finances, Carlos Corberan continues to deliver results on the pitch with The Baggies now in 5th place of the Championship table after an impressive 3-1 win over Hull City on Saturday.
Sports Lawyer David Hinchliffe spotted at The Hawthorns
The West Brom takeover rumour mill was sent into overdrive after an unfamiliar face was spotted in the directors box during Saturday’s win over Hull.
Adrian Goldberg and West Brom’s former Head of Media Chris Lepkowski of The Liquidator Podcast revealed the man in question was sports lawyer David Hinchliffe who specialises in the sale of football clubs.
Goldberg said: “Hinchcliffe is a sports lawyer. He essentially ensures that contracts that are drawn up between one side and another when a football club is sold are legally watertight. He’s not a buyer. He doesn’t actually buy or sell the club. He ensures that the deal that he’s done holds, and that it’s a legitimate one.”
Hinchcliffe is the Head of Sport for commercial law firm Walker Morris and is regarded as ‘the best in his field’ when it comes to buying and selling football clubs.
As per the Walker Morris website, Hinchcliffe says: “I always provide my clients with the best opportunity for a beneficial outcome.”
His involvement in the sale is a “positive sign” that a takeover could be progressing at a faster pace, according to Adrian Goldberg.
He said: “I’m told by people who know that the fact that he’s involved is a really positive sign that a sale for West Bromwich Albion could be proceeding and could even be proceeding faster than we anticipated.
“Hinchliffe I’m told has been involved in about 50 football related deals, I’m told that he’s a good guy and another person involved in football told me that he’s a legend in terms of football takeover because he’s been involved in so many of them.”
Kansas City Chiefs boss Clark Hunt rumoured amid West Brom takeover talks
West Brom fans are excited about a potential of a sale being on the horizon, and one name who’s emerged as a potential buyer on social media is Kansas City Chiefs chairman and co-owner Clark Hunt, however no official reports have confirmed these rumours.
The 58-year-old has worked in US sports for several decades now, and even played a part in helping to found the MLS, having also been part of Sports Kansas City’s hierarchy in the past; Clark remains on the board of governors for the MLS.
He’s been chairman of NFL side Kansas City Chiefs since 2005, with the club having won two Super Bowls during his reign.
Clark Hunt net worth
As per reports online, Hunt himself has a net worth of close to $2 billion, whilst his family as a whole have a net worth of approximately $15.5 billion, having previously made their fortune in the oil industry.
Who is Patrick Mahomes?
Alongside the online speculation linking Hunt with a possible West Brom takeover, there’s rumours that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes could be involved in the deal in some way.
The 28-year-old is a two-time Super Bowl champion and could yet be involved with the Baggies, though in what capacity remains to be seen; it could be a similar kind of deal to Tom Brady at Birmingham City, where he’s a minority owner.
How likely are the Clark Hunt Patrick Mahomes West Brom takeover rumours?
Obviously, these rumours are just that, rumours, and so a pinch of salt is definitely needed when considering these names.
There seems to be a growing trend of owners in different sports like the NFL branching out into other sports, oftentimes English sports, with these people having great experience in giving exposure to teams and in building brands and franchises.
There’s been no official links between West Brom and Hunt, but there certainly seems to be a potential takeover in the making with Miles having previously confirmed that the club is in talks to be sold.
Lai has come under growing criticism over the past years and so news of a takeover will always delight the Baggies faithful.
And Lai’s poor running of the club has also prompted a response from West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, who attended West Brom vs QPR last month, and posted on social media after the game:
He said: “Good to be at the Hawthorns for a great result for the Baggies as they continue to perform on the pitch.
“Off the pitch I’m aware of the issues surrounding the ownership, & I’ve been in dialogue with @action4albion, @nicolafrichards, & the club as we work towards a solution.”
Chris Lepkowski claimed two parties are involved in takeover talks with one more serious than the other while a third party is keeping tabs. He warned takeover talks are still at a very “delicate” stage when speaking on The Liquidator Podcast and said “wait and see how the next few weeks pan out”.
West Brom will be hopeful a takeover can be completed in the near future a with fans eager to see what Carlos Corberan can achieve with financial backing from the board.