May 31 – Although the protracted £.4.25 billion deal was completed several days ago, Chelsea have now officially rubber stamped their new ownership following the sale of the club by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.
After a three-month process, a statement on Chelsea’s website said “the consortium led by Todd Boehly (pictured), chairman and CEO of Eldridge, and Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. (together with its affiliates, “Clearlake”), today announced the completion of the ownership transfer of Chelsea Football Club (“Chelsea FC” or “the Club”).”
It added: “The consortium also includes Hansjörg Wyss, founder of the Wyss Foundation, and Mark Walter, co-founder and CEO of Guggenheim Capital. Walter and Boehly are owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Los Angeles Sparks.”
With the formalities now completed, Boehly has promised to build on the team’s “remarkable history of success.”
“We are honoured to become the new custodians of Chelsea Football Club. We’re all in, 100 per cent, every minute of every match,” Boehly told Chelsea’s website.
Until now, Chelsea had been operating under a special government licence which would have expired on May 31 if Boehly had been unable to seal the purchase.
“I personally want to thank ministers and officials in the British Government, and the Premier League, for all their work in making this happen,” the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team boss added.
The consortium fought off 11 serious rivals to become the new owners and pledged it would be business as usual with plenty of resources to buy new players.
“Along with our commitment to developing the youth squad and acquiring the best talent, our plan of action is to invest in the club for the long term and build on Chelsea’s remarkable history of success,” Boehly said.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734980742labto1734980742ofdlr1734980742owedi1734980742sni@w1734980742ahsra1734980742w.wer1734980742dna1734980742