Todd Boehly and fellow co-owner Mark Walter are open to selling their stakes in Chelsea Football Club to majority owner Clearlake Capital, according to reports from Sky Sports and The Guardian. The potential transaction would effectively end a period of tension at Stamford Bridge and leave Clearlake Capital with full control of the Premier League club.
The Proposed Clearlake Capital Takeover and Valuation
Clearlake Capital, which currently holds a majority stake in Chelsea, is positioned to take full ownership as negotiations progress regarding the departure of Boehly and Walter. According to reporting by the Financial Times, the deal to buy out Boehly and Walter’s shares values the Premier League club at £950mn for those specific stakes, while broader valuations place the club’s overall worth at more than £5bn, as noted by The Telegraph. The restructuring brings an end to the multi-ownership dynamic that began when a consortium led by Boehly and Clearlake purchased the club in May 2022.
Resolving Stamford Bridge Ownership Tensions
The exit of Boehly from his hands-on role and the sale of his and Walter’s shares comes after months of reported friction between the different factions inside the boardroom. According to The Telegraph, the buyout by Clearlake Capital is expected to resolve long-running tensions regarding the strategic direction of the club. Boehly, who initially served as chairman and fronted the 2022 takeover following the sanctioning of former owner Roman Abramovich, will step down from his position once the transaction is finalized, as detailed by Sky News.