Chelsea’s co-owners, Todd Boehly and Mark Walter, are reportedly engaged in exploratory discussions regarding the sale of their stakes in the club, with a potential avenue emerging for Clearlake Capital to acquire a majority share. This development follows a previously reported rift between the two owners, initially apparent in 2024, which led to a series of attempts at mutually beneficial buying arrangements. Multiple sources, including those at Guggenheim Partners, led by Hansjorg Wyss, suggest Clearlake could now buy out their minority stake, representing a potential £640 million valuation for Boehly and Walter, with a further £12.8 billion from Wyss. The transaction is notably linked to Clearlake’s recent $12.5 billion acquisition of the Los Angeles Lakers, a year after a majority stake was purchased in the NBA franchise. Separately, US federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission are investigating companies associated with Walter’s business empire, adding to the complexities of the situation. Chelsea’s recent season ended with a 10th-place finish in the Premier League and the appointment of Xabi Alonso as manager, highlighting ongoing tension within the ownership group. Boehly, currently the chairman, is facing a pre-determined replacement by Clearlake, a move that has been viewed as a reduction in Boehly’s influence after his initial role as interim sporting director during the club’s first transfer window. Since 2023, Eghbali has become the most influential figure at Chelsea, heavily involved in transfer dealings, while several senior executives have departed the club within the first two years of the ownership. There’s a persistent narrative suggesting differences over the club’s future, with Boehly hinting at a shift away from the existing stadium site, potentially linked to a redesign or expansion project, as detailed in an interview with Bloomberg last March. Despite Chelsea’s ongoing plans to redevelop Stamford Bridge or relocate to a new stadium, the differing design approaches between Boehly and Clearlake are a key point of contention. Both parties have declined to comment on the situation, adding to the overall sense of uncertainty surrounding the potential deal.
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Source: Adom Sports
