Clearlake takes full ownership of Chelsea as Boehly exits
Clearlake Capital has acquired full control of Chelsea after Todd Boehly, Mark Walter, and Hansjorg Wyss sold their combined 38.4% stake. Boehly steps down as chairman, ending the ownership group that bought the club in 2022. Clearlake, led by Behdad Eghbali and Jose Feliciano, now owns 100% of the Premier League side.
The sale concludes a rift first apparent in 2024, when both sides explored buying each other out. Boehly, who also co-owns the Los Angeles Dodgers, had chaired the club since the £2.3bn purchase from Roman Abramovich in 2022. Walter recently sold the Los Angeles Lakers for a record $12.5bn and faces separate federal investigations into his business empire.
Chelsea's best Premier League finish under the group was fourth in 2024-25, alongside Conference League and Club World Cup titles, but last season brought a 10th-place finish and the appointment of Xabi Alonso. The club's strategy of signing young players to long contracts produced a staggering 39 summer exits. Stadium redevelopment plans had also caused tension between the factions.
The ownership change could reshape Chelsea's strategic direction, though the club insists day-to-day operations remain unchanged. Fans may see continuity in sporting strategy, but Boehly's departure removes a prominent public figure who helped navigate the post-Abramovich era. The outcome may also signal how private equity ownership of major clubs evolves, with Clearlake's full control potentially affecting transfer policy, stadium investment, and long-term financial planning. Supporters and the Premier League will watch whether this consolidation brings stability or further turbulence.