Clearlake Capital seizes control of Chelsea as Boehly sells stake in £1bn deal

Chelsea Football Club has announced that affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. ("Clearlake") will acquire Todd Boehly’s and Mark Walter’s combined 25 per cent stake in the club. The deal, valued at £5bn, was announced last night and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Clearlake Capital will ultimately control around 88 per cent of the club, while Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss retains 12 per cent.

Boehly, the former chairman of Chelsea, will remain an investor or owner in various sports teams, including the LA Dodgers, LA Sparks, and Trent Rockets. Walter earlier sold the LA Lakers for £9bn amid concerns over insurance probes. In a statement, Chelsea expressed gratitude towards the new owners and emphasized the club's continued success under Clearlake's leadership.

Boehly thanked his partners at Clearlake and acknowledged the collective decisions and investments that supported the club's growth. Clearlake Capital also thanked Boehly for his time and contribution during their ownership of Chelsea, promising to continue investing in the club's infrastructure, performance, and player development.