Dejphon Chansiri’s likely successor at Sheffield Wednesday will have to deal with the repercussions of one strange decision that the Thai businessman made before COVID.
A bid for Sheffield Wednesday has been accepted by Dejphon Chansiri, with the Owls moving closer to a sale.
Sheffield Wednesday have undergone a difficult summer filled with missed payments and a lack of promises from the higher-ups at the club, with the future of several members of the first team in doubt.
Owls owner Chansiri began to receive criticism from national media, with it crystal clear that Sheffield Wednesday were significantly struggling under his stewardship.
As Chansiri’s reign looks as though it is drawing to its conclusion, it is clear that his successor will have a huge challenge of getting the club back on track, whether it is the current state of Hillsborough Stadium and Middlewood Training Ground, or the more minor decisions made by the Sheffield Wednesday owner, one of which could hamper the club in the future.
Photo by George Wood/Getty ImagesIncoming Sheffield Wednesday owner set to be lumbered with Chansiri’s 10-year season tickets
Before COVID struck, Sheffield Wednesday made the unique yet bizarre decision to introduce 10-year season tickets.
The catch with the ‘completely innovative’ ticket was that the 10 years wouldn’t kick in until Sheffield Wednesday reached promotion to the Premier League.
Initially when it was launched, the club confirmed that the season ticket would last until 2035 if promotion to the Premier League was reached by 2025, but with that no longer a possibility, fans who bought it will be able to attend each home game for free, with the 10 years not beginning until promotion was clinched.
For example, if Sheffield Wednesday do not reach the Premier League until 2030, fans will be able to attend games for free, and then the 10 years would trigger in 2030 and expire in 2040.
The season ticket, launched in 2020, cost a whopping £6,400 in the South Stand and £4,550 in the Kop.
Photo by Scott Llewellyn | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images10-year season ticket will provide a burden for new owners
Whilst it is not known how many Sheffield Wednesday fans decided to purchase one of the 10-year season tickets, it already looks as though the club will lose money because of the fans who did snap one up.
According to the club, they said in 2020 that ‘the tickets will remain valid even if Wednesday are sold to new owners’. This means that whoever does take over from Dejphon Chansiri will have to honour the purchase.
In addition, the club also said that there is an option to sell the seats back to the club on a season-by-season basis, meaning that Chansiri’s successor would be in debt for those who take this opportunity.
Judging by the reaction five years ago when the decision was made, it is unexpected that a large contingent of supporters paid a four-figure sum for the ticket, but it will still place a burden on whoever takes over the club.