Chelsea
Premier League / England
Chelsea Football Club might be based in London, but they are one of the most popular clubs not just across England, but globally. While the last few years have been a little hard for the supporters, the couple of decades that preceded it were full of success, which led to the club becoming one of the biggest and most recognisable franchises across the sporting world.
In 1904, Gus Mears acquired the Stamford Bridge athletics stadium in Fulham with the ultimate objective of turning it into a football ground. Mears was interested in creating his club that would play at Stamford Bridge stadium. The name Chelsea FC was chosen at the end, as a club named Fulham was already in existence at that time.
Since its formation, the club has shown remarkable growth and is making extra efforts every day to be the best football team in the entire world. Let's have a look at the ownership of Chelsea FC – who owns Chelsea, details on Chelsea owners, Tedd Boehly net worth, and Clearlake Capital.
So, who is the owner of Chelsea? Chelsea FC is jointly owned by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, through BlueCo. Todd Boehly, an American businessman and founder of Eldridge Industries, currently serves as chairman of Chelsea FC, after acquiring the club in 2022. Clearlake Capital, a private equity shareholder, which was co-founded by Jose E Feliciano and Behdad Eghbali, has a substantial stake of 61.5% in BlueCo. Both Boehly and Clearlake Capital hold equal control and governance over the majority of footballing and financial operations of Chelsea FC.
| Role | Name |
| Chairman | Todd Boehly |
| Co-owner | Behdad Eghbali |
| Co-owner | Jose E Feliciano |
| Co-owner | Mark Walter |
| Co-owner | Hansjorg Wyss |
| Co-Sporting director | Lawrence Stewart |
| Co-Sporting director | Paul Winstanley |
| Head Coach | Enzo Maresca |
| President and Chief Operating Officer | Jason Gannon |
| Chief Executive Officer - Chelsea Women | Aki Mandhar |
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The ownership of Chelsea FC by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital arose from the very extraordinary circumstances of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. For almost 20 years, ownership of Chelsea was under the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who made the club into a European giant. When sanctions were imposed by the UK government against Abramovich concerning ties with the Russian state, he had to sell the club away in a sale. Due to the special government licence for the sale, it was strictly prohibited for any of the sale proceeds to fall into Abramovich's hands, with the proceeds instead to be used for humanitarian purposes.
Following a bidding war managed by The Raine Group. The highest bid came from Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. Todd Boehly, a Chicago-based American investor and sports owner with stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers and Lakers, was made the face of the new ownership. Clearlake Capital, a private-equity company, provided the bulk of the funding and is technically the largest partner within the consortium. Their bid of £4.25 billion was a record for a sports franchise sale and came with a massive package of investment commitments in the club's infrastructure, academy, and women's team. The deal was signed in May 2022, culminating in a swift and historic demise of the Abramovich era and the commencement of a new era for the club under the new Chelsea owners.
The owner of the Chelsea club, Todd Boehly wealth and income primarily derived from his career as an investor and businessman. He is the chairman, co-founder, and CEO of Eldridge Industries, which he founded in 2015. Through Eldridge Industries, he has built his massive wealth by diversifying into other key industries. He holds a major stake in financial and insurance companies, media production houses like The Hollywood Reporter, Dick Clark Productions, and sports franchises like the Los Angeles Lakers and, Los Angeles Dodgers.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly net worth stands at $8.86 billion, spanning his career as a high-profile investor and businessman. His fortune grew with investments in finance, insurance, sports, and media.
| Year | Net Worth |
| 2022 | $4.5 billion |
| 2023 | $6.1 billion |
| 2024 | $8.5 billion |
| 2025 | $8.86 billion |
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The other owner of the Chelsea club, Clearlake Capital, is a global investment firm operating across private equity, liquid credit, and other financial aspects. Clearlake primarily focuses on technology, industrial, and consumer sectors. Clearlake's actual business model revolves around partnering with management companies to uplift underperforming companies or companies that are in transition, by helping them evolve and grow.
Founded by Jose E Feliciano and Behdad Eghbali, working with a team of investment professionals, through a partnership with management companies, helps in growing and transforming underperforming companies. Its investment in Chelsea FC is deemed to be one of the major acquisitions, but the firm's portfolio expands across sectors.
The individuals of Clearlake Capital, who also simultaneously manage Chelsea FC, are the firm's founders and managing partners. The key personnel of Clearlake Capital are:
| Role | Name |
| Co-owner | Behdad Eghbali |
| Co-owner | Jose E Feliciano |
| Managing Director | James Pade |
Chelsea owner Tedd Boehly has a significant stake in sports franchises beyond Chelsea FC. He serves as the co-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA), the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), and the Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA).
Additionally, under the BlueCo banner, Boehly and Clearlake Capital acquired French football club Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace in 2023, starting a multi-club model for the Chelsea ownership group. As a private equity firm, Clearlake Capital has no history of direct sports team ownership outside of its partnership with BlueCo.
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The ownership of Chelsea FC has a diverse history, with three distinctive eras of ownership. From humble beginnings with Gus Mears & Family to a period of financial stabilisation with Ken Bates. Chelsea FC's financial picture changed with the arrival of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. His unprecedented investment changed the tides and fortunes of the club, turning Chelsea into a major football house. The club has witnessed its new chapter after its acquisition by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital Owners in 2022.
| Owners | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Gus Mears & Family | 1905 – 1982 |
| Ken Bates | 1982 – 2003 |
| Roman Abramovich | 2003 – 2022 |
| Todd Boehly, Clearlake Capital, Mark Walter and Hansjorg Wyss | 2022 – present |
The current ownership of Chelsea, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, has faced a number of controversies and challenges. These issues have largely revolved around financial dealings, on-field performance, and their business practices. The club's new owners have faced criticism for their extensive spending on transfers without immediate on-field success.
There have also been controversies relating to past financial dealings under the previous owner, Roman Abramovich, which the new owners have self-reported to football authorities. Additionally, Todd Boehly has faced scrutiny over his links to a ticket resale website, which some fans view as a conflict of interest.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current owner of Chelsea FC?
Chelsea FC is currently owned by the Todd Boehly-led consortium, which includes Clearlake Capital, Hansjörg Wyss, and Mark Walter. The group took over the club in May 2022.
Who is Todd Boehly?
Todd Boehly is an American businessman and investor. He serves as the chairman of Chelsea FC and is also a co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) and other sports franchises.
When did Chelsea's current owners take over the club?
The current ownership group officially completed the takeover in May 2022, following the UK Government’s sanctions on former owner Roman Abramovich
What is Clearlake Capital’s role at Chelsea?
Clearlake Capital is the majority shareholder in the Chelsea ownership consortium. The firm plays a key financial role in the club’s investments and long-term strategic planning.
How much did Chelsea’s new owners pay for the club?
The Todd Boehly–Clearlake consortium reportedly paid around £4.25 billion, including a commitment to invest in Stamford Bridge and the club's infrastructure.
What is the vision of Chelsea’s ownership group?
The owners aim to establish Chelsea as a sustainable global football powerhouse, focusing on youth development, data-driven decisions, and international growth through partnerships and club expansions.
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