With the riches of the Premier League just a step away, many Championship clubs take a few chances to get into the top tier of English football.
From fallen giants to clubs on a steady rising trend, every fan has a tale to tell and an opinion on how their club is conducted.
We’ve seen clubs go through crises and disasters while also propelling themselves through the divisions in a sustainable and professional manner – and that mix makes the second tier an intriguing place to watch year after year.
As the 24 teams jostle for position once more and fans continue to voice their opinions on the mechanics of their separate operations, FLW has contacted AI chatbot ChatGPT on who it believes are the greatest owners at the level.
8Shelby Companies Ltd (Birmingham City)
According to AI, Birmingham City’s ownership group Shelby Companies Ltd, led by chairman Tom Wagner, ranks eighth among the finest Championship club owners.
According to ChatGPT, Birmingham owner Tom Wagner is regarded as one of the greatest owners in the division due to his considerable investment and ambition, in addition to funding from Tom Brady.
Wagner took over at Birmingham and initially relegated the club to League One with some questionable decisions, but a busy summer of spending in 2024 saw them bounce right back, and they have ambitions to reach the Premier League this season – while also embarking on a new stadium project and transforming a major part of Birmingham as a city with a new Sports Quarter.
7Norfolk FB Holdings LLC (Norwich City)
Norwich City’s owners may be disappointed with their team’s stagnation in the second tier over the last several seasons, but AI ranks Norfolk FB Holdings LLC, managed by chairman Mark Attanasio, ninth on the list of the finest owners.
According to the AI chatbot, Attanasio and his ownership have provided support for both managers and the squad, which still needs to find consistency and show itself.
The Canaries did quite well last season and expected to contend for promotion this year, but they have been hampered by a slow start to the season under Philippe Clement’s guidance. Norwich have a strong roster full of what appear to be very good saleable assets at some point, and eventual success on the pitch will reflect highly on the owners.
6Lincoln City Holdings Ltd (Lincoln City)
Lincoln City and their owner, Ron Fowler, who runs Lincoln City Holdings Ltd., may be lower on AI’s list than many would assume.
According to ChatGPT, Fowler’s support for stadium enhancements and investment in the playing team places him among the top – and Lincoln is in an incredibly impressive position.
Despite the departure of promotion-winning coach Michael Skubala, Lincoln’s unique choice to employ co-managers Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw has paid off thus far, as the club appears to be firmly established in the Championship. They, too, have sold well and large in recent years, and their recruitment has been incredibly excellent, establishing themselves as one of the best-run clubs in England.
5Swansea Football LLC (Swansea City)
Swansea Football LLC, founded by American investors Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen, is the next ownership group on the list with celebrity status due to its involvement with both Luka Modric and Snoop Dogg.
Swansea City, according to the AI, is benefiting from a new sporting project and recruitment plan that has the potential to produce a competitive side, which they already have.
Swansea have dominated the Championship for several weeks this season under Vitor Matos’ guidance, and their team is undeniably good. The Jacks are still in a solid position to compete for a return to the Premier League this season.
4Bilkul Football WBA (West Bromwich Albion)
Bilkul Football WBA and West Bromwich Albion chairman Shilen Patel are next on the list of supporters who may have been dissatisfied with the club’s current stagnation and malaise.
Patel is ranked as high as fourth because to his more transparent leadership approach, which the AI believes should offer fans reason to be enthusiastic about the club’s future and direction.
After avoiding relegation last season, James Morrison and his Albion side started this season strongly, but a limited squad suggested they might not be able to maintain a top-two challenge. The Baggies remain a quality team, and the owners’ investment in January could prove a saving grace in getting them into the play-offs.
3Sport Republic (Southampton)
Sport Republic and Southampton, captained by Dragan Solak, are two other clubs whose supporters have expressed dissatisfaction with their owners but rank high on AI’s list.
Southampton, a multi-club ownership model alongside Goztepe and Valenciennes, have yo-yoed between the Premier League and the Championship under their ownership, with recruitment being a major point of contention among fans, but AI believes their willingness to invest in the squad places them as the third-best ownership group.
Having supported Tonda Eckert after their expulsion from last season’s play-off final due to ‘Spygate’, Southampton entered the season with a four-point deduction, but they are still in contention for promotion.
2Steve Lansdown (Bristol City)
AI has ranked Bristol City owner Steve Lansdown as the Championship’s second-best owner, citing major stadium renovations at Ashton Gate and the club’s excellent foundation.
Lansdown, a majority shareholder of the rugby union club Bristol Bears and the basketball team Bristol Flyers, as well as City, has owned The Robins since 2002, having joined the board in 1996.
Bristol City are once again one of the Championship’s more well-run and sustainable clubs, frequently banging on the door of the play-offs and even making it a few seasons ago. Following a significant summer of investment, particularly in attack with the acquisitions of Dom Ballard and Lorent Tolaj, a promotion push is once again anticipated.
1Stoke City Holdings Limited (Stoke City)
ChatGPT, an AI chatbot, ranks Stoke City Holdings Limited and the Coates family, led by John Coates, as the best owners in the Championship. The Coates family has been involved with Stoke since 1986, when Peter Coates became a minority shareholder after making money through Stadia Catering and Signal 1.
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