West Ham United Ownership | David Sullivan, Vanessa Gold, Křetínský, Tripp Smith and Stakeholders

Who is David Sullivan and what is his Source of Income?

As we mentioned earlier, over the years, the Hammers have gone through many ownership changes. In 2010, David Sullivan, alongside business partner David Gold, acquired a massive 50% stake in West Ham United. The fans of the club have mixed feelings when it comes to Sullivan and Gold.

Many people considered leaving the old ground and moving to the London Stadium as a step forward. However, one of the reasons to do it was to increase the revenue. Therefore, some fans thought it was a bad judgment. They believed the traditional roots were being ignored. Moreover, the stadium atmosphere was also criticized. Why? The belief was that the crowd had been less passionate ever since the move to the new stadium.

When Scottish manager David Moyes took charge of the club, the Hammers saw the glory of the UEFA Europa Conference League victory in 2023. Over the years, the club have made some good investments in players. It is something that the fans have relished and backed. However, some Hammers believe that it should be consistent.

With the increasing involvement of West Ham owners Daniel Kretinsky in the club, there are rumours about the future of West Ham owner Sullivan. There are fans who think the potential of Kretinsky taking over is a new start. With that, there will be new hopes that more financial backing and ambition will come under his leadership.

Throughout the 2010s, fan protests against the ownership were common occurrences. It was especially highlighted in 2018, when a pitch invasion and protests occurred at the London Stadium following a 3-0 defeat to Burnley. Fans demanded more transparency and ambition from the board, helmed by David Sullivan.

In recent years, however, the relationship of the board with fans has somewhat improved, especially following the Conference League victory.

David Sullivan’s Net Worth

The club is owned by David Sullivan, who became the majority shareholder in 2010 alongside the previous West Ham owner, the late David Gold. After the passing of Gold in January 2023, Sullivan now holds the primary stake. The club also attracted new investment from Daniel Kretinsky. He is speculated to be the potential future owner, given an agreement enabling him to increase his stake after the move of the club to the London Stadium. There is a strong belief that he might be the future owner of West Ham United. David Sullivan net worth in 2024 is estimated to be around £1.1 billion; it has gone up by 50 million from last year.

Sullivan and Gold were instrumental in West Ham’s move from Upton Park to the London Stadium, a decision that has been both logistically and economically important for the future of the club. But these decisions have created a love-hate relationship between the fans and the club.

David Sullivan Wife

David Sullivan was in a relationship with former adult actress Emma Benton-Hughes and had two children named David and Jack. After breaking up, there’s not much information available about David Sullivan wife.

Who is Daniel Křetínský and what is his source of income?

Daniel Kretinsky is a Czech billionaire businessman and lawyer. He is the chief executive officer and majority owner of Energeticky a prumyslovy holding (EPH), a major energy company in Central and Eastern Europe. His primary source of wealth is his ownership and control of EPH, which operates in various sectors of the energy industry, including electricity generation, gas transmission, and heat production.

In addition to his major holdings, Křetínský has various investments. He is a major shareholder and co-owner of the Czech football club Sparta Prague, and he also holds a significant stake in the English football club West Ham United. His investment resume extends to media and retail, with ownership stakes in companies like Czech Media Invest, and major investments in European retailers such as Sainsbury's, Foot Locker, and Metro AG, as well as the French newspaper Le Monde and the UK's Royal Mail.

Daniel Křetínský Net Worth

Based on the provided information, Daniel Kretinsky net worth is estimated to be around $9.4 billion. This figure places him among the richest people in the Czech Republic. His wealth is primarily derived from his ownership and control of Energeticky a prumyslovy Holding (EPH), a major energy company, as well as his various other investments in media, retail, and football clubs.

Who is Vanessa Gold?

Vanessa Gold is a British businesswoman and is the joint-chair of the Premier League football club West Ham United, alongside David Sullivan. She took on this role in August 2023 after inheriting a 25.1% share in the club from her father, David Gold, who was a former co-owner. She has also served as the company chair of Ann Summers, a British retail company, a position she took on following the death of her sister, Jacqueline Gold.

Vanessa Gold Net Worth

Based on the available information, Vanessa Gold net worth is estimated to be £81 million. Her wealth comes primarily from the 25.1% share in West Ham United that she inherited from her father, David Gold, and her position as company chair of Ann Summers.

Who is Tripp Smith?

J. Albert "Tripp" Smith is an American investment executive and the co-founder of GSO Capital Partners, a credit investment platform of The Blackstone Group. He has been a part-owner of the English football club West Ham United since 2017. He holds an 8% share in the club and also serves on its board as a non-executive director. Before his work with Blackstone, he held various leadership roles in credit and finance at business firms, including Credit Suisse and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. In 2019, he founded Iron Park Capital Partners, which was acquired by General Atlantic in 2022.

Tripp Smith Net Worth

There is no information available on a specific, recent figure for Tripp Smith net worth. However, it is known that he is a wealthy individual with a background in finance. In 2017, he was referred to as an American Billionaire when he purchased a 10% share in West Ham United. This wealth comes from his career as an investment executive, including his role as co-founder of GSO Capital Partners, a company that was sold to The Blackstone Group for a reported $1 billion in 2008.