LONDON – Todd Boehly and fellow co-owner Mark Walter have sold their stakes in Chelsea, handing full control to Clearlake Capital, the English Premier League club said on Wednesday.
“Chelsea Football Club today announced affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group will acquire the ownership interest of Todd Boehly,” it said in a statement. This marks a significant shift in the club’s ownership structure, as Clearlake Capital, which had already been a major stakeholder, now assumes complete control.
“As part of the transition, Clearlake will also acquire Mark Walter’s ownership interest and therefore acquire full control of the club,” the statement continued. This consolidation comes after Clearlake and Boehly initially took over Chelsea from Roman Abramovich in 2022, following the latter’s forced sale due to sanctions from the U.K. government in light of the geopolitical tensions arising from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Boehly, Walter, and Swiss investor Hansjorg Wyss had originally purchased a combined 12.8% share of Chelsea, while Clearlake held a 61.5% majority prior to this announcement. With Boehly stepping down from his role as Chelsea chairman, the club is poised for a new era under Clearlake’s stewardship.
“It has been an honor to serve as chairman of Chelsea Football Club,” Boehly expressed in his farewell statement. “I would like to thank the many who helped secure a bright future for the club, including the English Premier League, the coaches and players, the talented leadership and staff at Chelsea, and the legions of dedicated fans.” His gratitude reflects a deep commitment to the club’s legacy and future.
Boehly also acknowledged the collaborative efforts with Clearlake and the wider ownership group, noting, “I have valued my partnership with Clearlake and the wider ownership group, and the collective decisions and investment we have made to support the immediate and long-term success of the club.” His confidence in Clearlake suggests a belief in their vision for Chelsea’s future.
Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano, co-founders of Clearlake Capital, paid tribute to Boehly in the club’s statement, indicating the respect and admiration they have for his contributions. “Todd has been an important partner throughout our ownership of Chelsea, and we thank him for his time and contribution as chairman,” they stated. “He will always be a part of the Chelsea story and family.”
Clearlake’s focus moving forward is clear: they aim to continue investing in the club’s infrastructure, sporting performance, and player development to ensure long-term success for Chelsea and its supporters. This commitment to investment is vital in a competitive Premier League landscape.
The statement also confirmed that Wyss would “remain an important stakeholder and partner in the ownership group” and assured fans that there would be “no changes to the day-to-day operations, leadership or strategy at the club,” providing some continuity amid the ownership transition.
Currently, Chelsea sits sixth in the Premier League standings and is preparing to face London rivals Brentford on Friday. As the club navigates this new chapter, the eyes of fans and analysts alike will be on Clearlake Capital to see how they steer Chelsea into the future.
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