Chelsea co-owners Boehly & Walter explore selling stakes

What the report says

Chelsea’s ownership structure is under fresh scrutiny after BBC Sport reported that chairman Todd Boehly and director Mark Walter have explored selling their stakes in the Premier League club to majority owner Clearlake Capital. The report says discussions have started inside the ownership group following a rift that became more visible in 2024, with both sides previously considering buying each other out.

According to the BBC, Clearlake holds a 61.5% stake in Chelsea and is led by co-founders Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano. Boehly and Walter each own 12.8%, and the article says they are valuing the club at about £5bn, which would imply roughly £640m for each of their shares if a sale went ahead. Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss is also aligned with the pair and has a further 12.8%, though his role is described as unclear.

The potential shift would further reduce Boehly’s influence at Chelsea. He is currently chairman but is due to be replaced at the end of the season under the ownership agreement reached when the club was bought from Roman Abramovich for £2.3bn in 2022. BBC Sport also notes that Eghbali has become the most influential figure since 2023, especially in transfer decisions.

The report says tensions have also involved plans for Stamford Bridge, with disagreement over whether to redevelop the current ground or build elsewhere. Chelsea and the parties named declined to comment.