David Sullivan has announced his resignation as joint-chair and director of West Ham United with immediate effect. The former chairman, one of the most recognisable figures in English football, said he was stepping down to address "false allegations" about his private life. The BBC is set to publish a joint investigation with The Times over multiple serious allegations, airing on BBC1's Panorama on Monday evening at 8pm.
David Sullivan's Pornography Empire
Sullivan, who co-owned West Ham for 16 years, built the bulk of his wealth in adult entertainment. He launched the Sunday Sport and Daily Sport in the 1980s, tabloids notorious for featuring semi-nude models. He also started a mail-order softcore photography business and, with the late David Gold, opened sex shops and produced low-budget porn films. Sullivan once called himself a "freedom fighter" and said in 2016: "I am not ashamed of it - I only sold to adults."
David Sullivan's Mansion
Sullivan owns several luxurious properties. He spent around £75 million on a stunning house in Marylebone and £50 million renovating it. Built in 1775, the property features 10 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, a swimming pool, a wine cellar, a cinema room, and a sauna. Celebrities like Kate Moss and Amy Winehouse have used it for shoots. He also owns a £7.5 million Essex mansion spanning over 25,000 square feet, with 14 bedrooms, numerous bathrooms, and a dining room for 24 people. Unique silicone servants, each worth £50,000, are dispersed throughout the rooms.
David Sullivan Net Worth
Sullivan is the fifth-richest person from Wales, with a net worth estimated at £1.1 billion in the Sunday Times Rich List. He became a millionaire by age 25 from porn films. He sold the Sunday Sport and Daily Sport for £45 million and reinvested in property. His investment company owns retail spaces on Oxford Street and historic mansions in Marylebone. With the Gold brothers, he bought Birmingham City out of administration for £700,000 in 1993, later selling their stakes for around £80 million profit.
