The relationship between American businessman Todd Boehly and Chelsea’s majority shareholders, Clearlake Capital, is reportedly on the verge of collapse. According to The Telegraph, Boehly believes the current structure at the club has become “untenable,” creating a significant divide between the co-owners.
Boehly, who holds a 38.5% stake in the west London club, is said to be considering raising £2.5 billion to buy out Clearlake Capital’s majority share. However, Clearlake, which holds 61.5% of the club through the private equity firm co-owned by Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano, reportedly has no interest in selling. Instead, they are keen on increasing their stake in the club rather than divesting it.
Boehly’s vision for Chelsea includes plans to build a new stadium as part of a 20-30 year strategic plan, but his ambitions seem to be at odds with Clearlake’s approach to the club’s future. Despite the growing tension, no official talks have been initiated between Boehly, Clearlake, or other stakeholders regarding a potential sale of shares. However, the situation could evolve soon as the divide between the parties deepens.
The ownership group, known as BlueCo, acquired Chelsea from Roman Abramovich in 2022 for £2.5 billion and committed an additional £1.75 billion for further investment in the club. Since then, £1.5 billion has been spent on new signings. As the tension escalates, it remains unclear how these developments will impact Chelsea’s future both on and off the pitch.
