Sheffield United owners hold talks with potential new investors amid clarity over Todd Boehly speculation
Sheffield United’s American owners are understood to be exploring the possibility of minority investment in the Blades, with CEO Stephen Bettis revealing what he knows about potential new partners and Todd Boehly speculation
Sheffield United’s owners are in conversation with a number of parties interested in potentially buying a stake in the Blades, The Star understands, despite the uncertainty surrounding the club amid the ongoing dispute with Prince Abdullah.
Steve Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy remain the ultimate owners of the Blades after buying from the prince back in 2024, although the final instalment in that deal remains unpaid and is the subject of discussion between the two parties.
The belief is that a solution will be found to end the saga amicably but that may not be enough to avoid the Blades being punished by the EFL, who are looking into the winding-up of Rosen and Eltoukhy’s company COH Sports Bidco earlier this year after a petition was launched by the prince’s camp.
Amongst that backdrop the Americans have continued to search for potential new partners to come on board, by taking a minority stake in the Blades. Speaking this week, chief executive Stephen Bettis played down suggestions they were looking for a complete sale.
“My understanding is they're looking for new partners to come in,” Bettis said, and take 10, 20 or 30 per cent, that sort of thing. I don't think it's them looking to get out of being owners of the football club.
“When you look at a lot of American owners of football clubs in the UK now, they all kind of seem to adopt this model. Look at the likes of Ipswich, Birmingham and especially Burnley.
“They're all bringing in new investors as and when time goes along, just to give them that next push and that extra push to move it forward. And I think our guys are no different in that respect.
“But I think they're careful and mindful about the kind of people they want to bring in. It's not just about whether they write a cheque or not; it's more about what else they bring to the table as well.”
One name that looks unlikely to be taking a stake in the Blades is Todd Boehly, a compatriot of Rosen and Eltoukhy who is said to be worth more than $9billion and recently left his position at Chelsea.
He was reportedly spotted attending United’s clash with Wolves last month and when asked if there was a possibility he could come on board, Bettis said: “Not that I'm aware of.
“Our owners do know Todd Boehly, I believe, and I know they have spoken to him when he was still at Chelsea. I know he's stepped out of Chelsea now, but I don't believe there's any appetite for him to be involved at the moment from our side, from what I've heard.”
While neither Rosen nor Eltoukhy have sat down for an interview with any local media outlet since they bought the Blades, Rosen has been the more visible of the two; speaking to Unitedites in the fan zone on one occasion and appearing on a recent podcast with a long-time associate in the States.
Eltoukhy, in contrast, is said to have taken more of a back seat according to Bramall Lane sources and Bettis said: “Helmy probably lives twice the distance away that Steve does, from a flight perspective.
“So it makes it a much bigger time difference and the logistics of coming over are far greater. But I certainly speak to them both regularly. I probably speak to Steve Rosen two or three times a day.
“Not always on the phone, but via text, etc. So he's heavily involved in everything that we're doing. He's in the UK this week as well. I'm seeing him in London this week. So, yeah, the enthusiasm is still there from both of them, I believe, to keep moving it forward.”