Shilen Patel is the chairman of West Brom
Shilen Patel is the chairman of West Brom
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Shilen Patel explains West Brom appeal in 'eye-wateringly high' US sports verdict

Harri Burton
Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Shilen Patel has explained the appeal for purchasing a majority ownership stake in West Brom amid an "eye-wateringly high" verdict on American sports teams.

Patel, along with his father Kiran Patel, purchased an 87.8% stake in the Baggies with the deal ratified on 28 February (Sky Sports).

He becomes the latest American involvement in English football, with the likes of Leeds United, Manchester United and Liverpool all under US ownership.

And Patel explained the allure of getting involved in English football.

Speaking to BBC West Midlands in quotes reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday (13 March), he said: "There has always been a certain romance in sports ownership. Global football - and European football in particular - is interesting from a business standpoint. The stakes, the potential and the accessibility.

"You look at something like the NFL, Major League Baseball or the NHL, the valuations are quite uniform... and in some cases eye-wateringly high too.

"If you find the right club in the right circumstance, the opportunity to alter the standings and the trajectory of a club is much greater in football than in the American leagues."

Can West Brom claim promotion to the Premier League amid the takeover at The Hawthorns?

It must be said that Carlos Corberan has already done an incredible job at The Hawthorns, working on an extremely tight budget and limited resources but still battling for promotion this term.

The hope is now that the Spaniard will be able to have more resources to continue building a squad in his own mould and to work towards securing that coveted spot in the Premier League.

Placed fifth in the Championship after 37 matches, the Baggies have the opportunity to claim promotion to the Premier League through the playoffs if they can maintain their current form.

West Brom Shilen Patel
New West Brom chairman Shilen Patel

Moving five points ahead of Norwich City and Hull City at the weekend has been an important move in the Championship. And although they are 10 points behind Southampton in fourth, the playoffs can bring about many shocks.

Even if West Brom are unable to reach the top tier this season, the potential at The Hawthorns is very high, which is, obviously, why Patel has chosen the West Midlands club to invest in.

In other West Brom news, a behind-the-scenes deal has been struck at The Hawthorns.

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