SPORTS NEWS; – Todd Boehly has expressed a diminishing confidence in his collaborative relationship with Clearlake Capital, the American private equity firm that holds a majority stake in Chelsea, and is seeking a resolution to avert potential discord at Stamford Bridge.
As speculation regarding discord among the club’s owners intensifies, it is reported that Boehly is optimistic about securing sufficient investment to facilitate a complete takeover. There have been strong refutations of claims suggesting that the American billionaire intends to divest his 38.5% stake, which is equally divided among himself, Hansjörg Wyss, and Mark Walter.
However, Clearlake, led by Behdad Eghbali and José E Feliciano, has firmly stated that it has no intention, desire, or plan to sell any portion of its 61.5% ownership to Boehly or any other entity. Clearlake views its stake in Chelsea as a long-term investment and is open to the possibility of acquiring Boehly’s shares, who was the prominent figure in the consortium that purchased the club from Roman Abramovich in 2022.
According to the ownership agreement, Boehly is prohibited from selling to a third party without Clearlake’s consent. While some believe that Boehly is merely biding his time as he considers an exit strategy, it is asserted that he will not be compelled to leave against his wishes. Concurrently, Boehly, who has taken a more subdued role over the past 18 months, allowing Eghbali to assume a leading position, acknowledges that the current management structure at Chelsea is unsustainable.
A cultural rift has emerged between the two parties, and Boehly, who utilized his personal funds to support his share in the acquisition, insists that a resolution must be reached promptly. It is noted that discussions regarding mutual buyouts have yet to occur. Boehly would only contemplate selling if presented with a compelling offer, although his primary inclination is to guide Chelsea into the future, viewing this endeavor as a long-term project spanning two to three decades.
