Love them or hate them, every football club needs to have an owner to keep them afloat. So, who is steering the ship at Tottenham Hotspur? We’ve gathered all the information you need on the club’s owners and prominent shareholders.
The world of business can be pretty complicated at the best of times, and when it comes to football and the billions of pounds swirling around a club, things don’t get any simpler. However, we have broken down all the details and the history of the club’s ownership to make things straightforward for any Spurs fan.
Who owns Tottenham Hotspur Football Club?
The current owners of Tottenham Hotspur are the members comprising the ENIC Group. More specifically, the Lewis family trust own a 86.58% share in ENIC, making them the majority shareholders in the football club. Joe Lewis is the founder and former head of the ENIC Group, but he removed himself from the board in October 2022, when control was handed to members of Lewis’ family (70.12% share) and Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy (29.88% share).
In 2001, ENIC acquired a controlling interest in Tottenham Hotspur. Joe Lewis, the owner of ENIC, became the majority shareholder. Since then, ENIC has been the major driving force behind the club’s ownership, with Daniel Levy serving as the chairman and overseeing the day-to-day operations. Levy is now the longest-serving chairman in the Premier League.
Who owned the club before ENIC?
Before Joe Lewis and ENIC took over Tottenham Hotspur, the club had experienced various ownership changes. In 1983, businessman Irving Scholar bought a controlling stake in the club. Scholar’s ownership period was marked by some on-field success, including winning the UEFA Cup in the 1983-1984 season.
In 1988, Terry Venables, a former player and manager, became involved with the club and took on the role of Chief Executive. Venables played a significant part in bringing success to Tottenham, including winning the FA Cup in 1991. However, conflicts between Venables and the board led to his departure in 1993.
Alan Sugar, a prominent businessman, then acquired the majority shareholding in Tottenham Hotspur in 1991. Under Sugar’s ownership, the club experienced a period of financial challenges and instability.
Spurs success under ENIC and Daniel Levy
The ENIC Group, under the leadership of Daniel Levy, has had a mixed tenure at Tottenham Hotspur, marked by both successes and some challenges. It’s important to note that opinions on the success or failure of a football club’s ownership can vary among fans, and assessments may be influenced by individual perspectives.
One of the major successes under ENIC and Daniel Levy has been the development of state-of-the-art infrastructure. The construction of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which opened in 2019, has been a significant achievement. The stadium is not only a modern and impressive facility but also a revenue-generating asset while the club’ Hotspur Way training ground is also one of the best in the world.
On the pitch, Tottenham has achieved a level of consistency in finishing in the top four of the Premier League under ENIC’s ownership. This has led to regular participation in European competitions, including the UEFA Champions League. However, the club is without a trophy since 2008—when they won the League Cup—and fans are hungry for more silverware now.
How much is the club, and its owner, worth?
Daniel Levy is thought to be worth around £500m, according to the Sunday Times in the summer of 2023. As for the club, Forbes estimated Tottenham Hotspur to be worth around £2.3bn in May 2023. However, with the club continuing to excel from a commercial standpoint, that figure could well be higher now.