One of the leading candidates for the Sheffield Wednesday takeover is a US businessman.

One of the top contenders to purchase crisis-ridden Sheffield Wednesday is a US-based billionaire investor with interests in both music and sports.

Mike McGrath of The Telegraph reported on Monday night that this was the case.

After years of financial difficulties under owner Dejphon Chansiri, who was the target of a winding-up petition from HMRC due to unpaid tax bills, the Owls entered administration on Friday.

Several serious suitors are in talks to purchase the club, according to joint administrator Kris Wigfield. However, the EFL requires that the club be on the market for 28 days before any sale can proceed.

Potential purchasers must first establish that they can satisfy the EFL’s Fit and Proper Persons Test and that they have the financial means to sustain the club.

US businessman John McEvoy is connected to the takeover of Sheffield Wednesday.

California-based John McEvoy, a minority shareholder in Major League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies and the NHL’s Nashville Predators, is reportedly considering a bid to take control of Hillsborough.

McEvoy’s business expertise is in mobile technology, having founded a distribution company in San Diego, but he also owns a minority share in Various Artists.

His company’s portfolio includes Sheffield band Reverend and the Makers, whose frontman Jon McClure, a lifelong Wednesday fan, is thought to have been involved in early talks.

McClure, who has long advocated for change at the club, expressed satisfaction on social media last week with the termination of Chansiri’s ownership and termed a takeover as a “huge opportunity” for the right person.

McEvoy had considered purchasing Coventry City in 2022 before abandoning the idea, and he is believed to have been studying the situation at Wednesday for several months.

Begbies Traynor’s administration declined to comment, but they are understood to be aware of his interest.

Sheffield Wednesday administrators reveal four to five’real deal’ bids.

McEvoy’s name has surfaced after joint administrator Kris Wigfield revealed that there are legitimate buyers in the running for the club.

“As always, you get a lot of interested parties that probably aren’t going to meet the criteria,” Wigfield told the broadcaster.

“But within the numerous inquiries we’ve had, we certainly think that there are already four or five interested parties that look like the real deal.”

Wednesday were placed under administration on Friday, resulting in an immediate 12-point deduction from the EFL.

The club is now bottom of the Championship with -6 points after 12 games, and a further investigation into possible financial regulations violations could result in additional sanctions.

Manager Henrik Pedersen faces a battle to keep the Owls in the division, with the team 16 points out of safety, but Chansiri’s departure has sparked new hope among fans.

Mike Ashley, the former owner of Newcastle United, is also thought to be keeping an eye on events and may launch a competitive bidding process in the coming weeks.

John Textor, the former owner of Crystal Palace, has also been connected with an Owls takeover.

The administrators’ priority remains on locating a buyer who can demonstrate both financial viability and conformity with EFL ownership guidelines.

For Owls fans weary of years of mismanagement, the appearance of ostensibly reputable investors such as McEvoy hints at the possibility – however remote – of a long-awaited fresh start at Hillsborough.