Boehly Steps Down as Chelsea Chairman After Clearlake Takes Full Control

PHOTO CREDIT: Punch Newspapers / Original photo shows Todd Boehly (left) and Mark Walter (right)
Boehly Steps Down as Chelsea Chairman After Clearlake Takes Full Control
American businessman Todd Boehly has stepped down as chairman of Chelsea Football Club after selling his stake to majority owners Clearlake Capital.

The deal sees Boehly and fellow director Mark Walter sell their shares to Clearlake, which now assumes 100% ownership of the club. Boehly, Walter and Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss previously each held a 12.8% stake, with Clearlake holding 61.5%. The club confirmed that Wyss will remain as a stakeholder and partner.

Clearlake, co-founded by Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano, is reported to have paid close to £1 billion for the combined stakes, representing about a quarter of the club. The transaction values Chelsea at around £5 billion.

Boehly had served as chairman since 2022 when the consortium acquired Chelsea for £2.3bn from Roman Abramovich following UK government sanctions.

In a statement released on Thursday, Boehly said:
“It has been an honour to serve as Chelsea chairman. I would like to thank the many who helped secure a bright future for the club, including the English Premier League, the coaches and players, the talented leadership and staff at Chelsea, and the legions of dedicated fans. I am confident that Chelsea is well positioned for continued success under Clearlake’s leadership.”

Clearlake co-founders Eghbali and Feliciano thanked Boehly for his time and contribution, noting that he “will always be a part of the Chelsea story and family.” They added that their focus remains on investment in infrastructure, sporting performance, player development and long-term success.

Chelsea in its own statement said there will be “no changes to the day-to-day operations, leadership or strategy” as a result of the deal. Boehly and Walter have also sold their shareholding in Chelsea’s partner club, Strasbourg in France.

The move follows reported tensions within the ownership group that first surfaced in 2024, with both sides previously exploring options to buy each other out.

Since the 2022 takeover, Chelsea finished as high as fourth in the Premier League in the 2024/25 season, winning the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup that same campaign.
SOURCE: Punch Newspapers