Clearlake Capital Takes Full Control of Chelsea as Boehly and Walter Sell Stakes

Clearlake Capital has taken full control of Chelsea Football Club after Todd Boehly and fellow co-owner Mark Walter agreed to sell their ownership stakes, the Premier League club announced on September 16.

Clearlake, which had been Chelsea’s majority owner since the club’s 2022 acquisition, will acquire both Boehly’s and Walter’s interests. Swiss investor Hansjörg Wyss will remain a stakeholder and partner in the ownership group.

Before the transaction, Clearlake held a 61.5% stake, while Boehly, Walter and Wyss each held 12.8%, according to AP. The change makes Clearlake the club’s sole controlling owner.

Boehly will also step down as Chelsea chairman. In a statement, he thanked the club’s staff, players, coaches, supporters and other stakeholders, and said he was confident in Chelsea’s future under Clearlake’s leadership.

Clearlake co-founders Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano thanked Boehly for his contribution and said the investment firm intends to continue focusing on the club’s infrastructure, sporting performance, player development and long-term plans.

Chelsea said there will be no changes to the club’s day-to-day operations, leadership or strategy as part of the ownership transition.

Boehly and Clearlake jointly led the acquisition of Chelsea from former owner Roman Abramovich in 2022. The latest transaction marks a change in the club’s ownership structure four years after that takeover.