AN OPEN LETTER TO THE WEDNESDAY FAMILY From: David Storch, Arise Capital Partners

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE WEDNESDAY FAMILY From: David Storch, Arise Capital Partners

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE WEDNESDAY FAMILY

From: David Storch, Arise Capital Partners
To: Supporters of Sheffield Wednesday FC
Date: March 18, 2026

Trust isn’t something that can be bought—it is earned through transparency, presence, and a shared belief in what this club truly represents.

For too long, Hillsborough’s gates have felt like a barrier between the club’s owners and its community. Today, those barriers are coming down. Arise Capital Partners has officially entered an exclusive period to acquire Sheffield Wednesday, and my first promise to you is clear: the age of the “invisible owner” is over.

The -15 Reality: Choosing the Hard Path

I know the headlines today are dominated by the 15-point deduction for next season. Let me be honest: we could have avoided it. Paying a massive exit fee to the previous owners would have cleared our slate with the EFL.

But every pound spent on the past is a pound we cannot invest in the future. That’s why we’ve chosen to accept the 15-point penalty and instead redirect £15.5 million into the “S6 Reset”, funding:

• The Fabric of S6: Immediate repairs to the North and West Stands
• The Academy: World-class facilities for the next generation of Owls, including the likes of Sean Fusires and Bailey Cadamarteris
• Sustainability: Building a club that never again faces administration

The “Sanremo Mandate”

In aviation, if an engine isn’t efficient, the plane won’t fly. Football is no different. We are implementing a strict £7,000-per-week wage cap and moving away from “mercenary” signings. Our focus is on hungry, high-intensity players and elite Premier League loans.

We don’t want players chasing a payday—we want players ready to climb a mountain starting at -15.

A Club for the Community

Hillsborough isn’t just an asset—it’s your home. Over the coming weeks, you’ll see me, Tom Costin, and our team in the stands, at local pubs, and attending Supporters’ Trust meetings. We are here to listen, not just speak.

Our three-year plan aims to return Sheffield Wednesday to the Championship, debt-free and proud. It begins with the toughest season in recent memory, but I’ve seen the resilience of this fan base. If any club can overcome a 15-point deficit, it’s ours—the club that has survived every challenge the past decade threw at it.

The flight path is set. Now it’s time to get to work.

UTO,
David Storch
Chairman-Elect, Sheffield Wednesday FC

The ‘Aviation Hero’ vs. The ‘Retail Giant’

The rejection of Mike Ashley’s bid continues to make headlines in Sheffield. Administrators from Begbies Traynor confirmed that while Ashley’s offer was credible, Storch’s £18 million proposal nearly doubled that of the Frasers Group.

“Ashley wanted a bargain-bin acquisition to flip,” said a source close to the administrators.
“Storch, with a 40-year career at AAR Corp, approaches a football club like a precision aircraft. If the foundation—the engines—are broken, you can’t just paint the hull and expect it to fly. He’s here for the engineering.”

The EFL’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test (OADT) remains the final hurdle. Storch is currently answering questions regarding a $55 million settlement AAR Corp paid to the DOJ in 2024. His legal team, led by Keir Gordon, maintains that the matter involved a “rogue employee” and will not prevent the takeover.

Restoring the Joy

Manager Henrik Pedersen, who met with Storch and captain Liam Palmer after the 1-1 draw with Watford, has reportedly been assured that his role is secure. Storch favors continuity over the “managerial carousel” that has dominated the last five years.

“We want to bring joy back to Hillsborough,” Storch said, looking across the historic stadium.
“Fans have endured a decade of darkness. We ask for patience through the -15 points because on the other side lies a club that finally belongs to Sheffield again.”

The takeover is expected to be completed by early May, ending the Chansiri era and launching the ambitious “S6 Power Play”—arguably the most high-stakes chapter in the club’s history.