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Chelsea’s U.S.owner Todd Boehly looks on from the directors box ahead of the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in London on Aug. 17, 2025. Photo by AFP |
Chelsea confirmed in an official statement that entities affiliated with Clearlake Capital have reached a full agreement to purchase the entire shares of co-owners Todd Boehly and Mark Walter.
This major financial transaction grants Clearlake complete control over the London club. Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss will remain a major shareholder and strategic partner within the restructured ownership group, BBC reported.
Alongside selling his stake, Boehly has stepped down as club chairman. While a successor has not yet been named, Chelsea assured supporters that the transition will not disrupt management and the team’s operations.
Boehly, Walter and Wyss had an equal share of 38.5% when their consortium, BlueCo, bought Chelsea from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for £2.5 billion ($3.34 billion) in 2022. Clearlake also owns a majority of shares in BlueCo.
Boehly and Walter have also sold their stake in Chelsea’s partner club, French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.
Reflecting on his departure from Chelsea, the American billionaire described his tenure as club chairman as an honor.
“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,” he said on the club’s website. “I am confident that Chelsea is well positioned for continued success under Clearlake’s leadership.”
Boehly also extended his gratitude to the Premier League, the coaching staff, the players, club employees and the global Chelsea fanbase.
According to The Guardianthe split has been happening for a while. There was talk of Boehly losing trust in his relationship with Clearlake. During his time at Chelsea, he was the face of the club. Clearlake watched Boehly appoint himself interim sporting director and Chelsea ended up spending over £300 million on misfits. He also became a joke figure after wondering why the Premier League had no All-Star game like the NBA.
Since then, Chelsea have appointed five permanent sporting directors and changed the club’s direction into signing young talents and handing out long contracts.
Boehly, 52, is the co-founder, chairman, CEO and controlling member of Eldridge Industries, a holding company in Miami, Florida. As of March 2026, Forbes estimated his net worth at $9.3 billion.