Wiggin advises Begbies Traynor Group on the sale of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club

We’re delighted to have advised Julian Pitts, Paul Stanley and Kris Wigfield of Begbies Traynor on the sale of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club and its assets to Arise Capital Partners LLC.

Wiggin was instructed in respect of the sale by Begbies Traynor who were appointed as administrators of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club Limited and Sheffield 3 Limited in October 2025. Over the past six months, Wiggin has assisted the joint administrators with negotiations with the EFL and the IFR and advised on various disciplinary matters, day-to-day legal issues and on numerous proposed sales of the business and assets of the Sheffield Wednesday group. The deal has now completed after formal approval was obtained from the EFL. The final deal ensures that the historic football club avoids a further points deduction in the 2026/27 season.

Wiggin fielded a multi-disciplinary team led by David Hinchliffe (Head of Sport), with support from Christian Slinger, Tim Howden, Shaney Stevens-Neale, Imogen Parker and Stephen Morris (Sport), Charlotte Palmer (Property), Sue Crawford (Tax) and John Colbourn and Mark Gahagan (Intellectual Property).

Paul Stanley one of the joint administrators from Begbies Traynor, commented:

“After a stressful 6 months we are delighted that we have successfully sold Sheffield Wednesday. I thank our BTG colleagues and Wiggin for finding solutions to the huge number of challenges we faced throughout the case. We wish the club success over the coming season”.

David Hinchliffe, Head of Sport at Wiggin added:

“We are pleased to have had the opportunity to work closely with the team at Begbies Traynor in achieving their objectives and securing a buyer for Sheffield Wednesday FC. In the end, this has been a real team effort to get this sale over the line, and we are proud of the dedication shown by everyone involved across multiple disciplines and over many months of complex negotiations. Navigating the regulatory requirements of both the EFL and the IFR, managing various disciplinary proceedings, running a complex and multi-faceted sales process, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and negotiating with prospective buyers, all while handling the day-to-day legal needs of a club in administration, required careful coordination and deep sector knowledge.

The outcome is an excellent result for all parties involved and helps to safeguard the future of this historic football club. With special thanks to all at Begbies Traynor, all of the staff and supporters at the Club, Arise Capital Partners LLC, the EFL and the IFR without whom this would not have been possible.  

We are excited to see what Sheffield Wednesday achieves under its new custodians and wish the club all the best for the future. The passion and loyalty of the Sheffield Wednesday supporters throughout this process has been remarkable, and they deserve a stable and successful football club which will no doubt flourish under the ownership of Arise. This sale marks the beginning of a new and positive chapter for everyone connected with the club, from the fans and the local community to the players and staff who have shown such resilience during a challenging period.”

Wiggin’s Sport team are leading experts in football M&A work in the UK and across the globe, having advised on deals in England, Scotland, Wales, Belgium, France, Spain and Australia. The team has particular expertise in football club administrations and acquisitions, acting for administrators, buyers and sellers alike.