In an intriguing twist, reports have surfaced suggesting that Amanda Staveley is demonstrating a "genuine interest" in acquiring a significant stake in Tottenham Hotspur. Known for her pivotal role in the recent acquisition of Newcastle United, Staveley is setting her sights on other Premier League assets.
Staveley was a key player in the consortium that took over Newcastle from Mike Ashley, where she initially secured a 10% stake in the club at the end of 2021. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquired an 80% share, while the Reuben Brothers acquired the final 10%. Under PIF's ownership, Newcastle experienced a remarkable transformation, soaring from relegation worries to a competitive position in the Champions League.
However, the 2023/24 season proved challenging for Newcastle, as they bowed out of the Champions League during the group stages, ultimately finishing seventh in the Premier League. This prompted a significant shakeup at the club, with new sporting director Paul Mitchell stepping in to replace Dan Ashworth. Staveley, meanwhile, opted to sell her stake in the club and relinquish her position as chairman, leading to claims that she was "forced out" of St James' Park.
In light of speculation surrounding her potential interest in Tottenham, Staveley has not ruled out the possibility of investing in another Premier League team. "Mehrdad and I are keen to be hands-on. We’re hardworking people, I enjoy staying busy, engaging, and immersing myself in football," she remarked. "Unfortunately, we must explore other avenues, which could involve acquiring a stake in another club, although that’s a tricky prospect. But it’s certainly feasible."
According to a recent report from The Athletic, her interest in Spurs is not just idle chatter but reflects a concrete plan to obtain a majority stake. Sources close to Staveley indicate that her ambition for Spurs has gained momentum in recent months. Her funding apparatus has a wide global reach, involving investors from the United States to the Middle East, rather than relying on a single government-backed investment fund like PIF.
The initial strategy with Spurs would involve acquiring a minority stake, but Staveley's broader goal remains focused on attaining majority stakes in significant sporting properties and franchises. Similar to her Newcastle approach, she aims to foster community ties and maintain a hands-on operational style.
Although Tottenham was among the clubs that expressed opposition to Newcastle’s takeover by PIF, it appears that Staveley has built a constructive rapport with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy through their collaboration on the Premier League's Financial Controls Advisory Group. She has privately acknowledged her respect for him. Yet, it's crucial to acknowledge that negotiations of this sort are seldom straightforward; Tottenham's current sentiment suggests that such discussions may amount to “just noise.”
It’s also worth noting that witnessing Staveley as a stakeholder in Tottenham would undoubtedly be a significant surprise, as the club has experienced exceptional boardroom stability over the last 24 years.