Los Angeles Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly is among those looking to purchase Chelsea Football Club, and he may be the closing in on getting the deal done.
Dodgers principal owner Mark Walter previously joined Boehly’s group, which includes a number of additional people from Major League Baseball, looking to buy the soccer club.
The sale of Chelsea is expected to reach more than $3 billion, which would set a new record for a professional sports team. The Guggenheim Baseball Management group Boehly and Walter are part of purchased the Dodgers from former owner Frank McCourt for a record $2.1 billion in 2012.
The sale of Chelsea appears to be moving closer to the final stages after Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the British government after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Boehly and his group have entered into exclusive negotiations in the bidding for the club, according to Cara Lombardo, Ben Dummett and Miriam Gottfried of The Wall Street Journal:
A group led by Los Angeles Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly is set to enter exclusive talks in the bidding war to acquire Chelsea Football Club from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, according to people familiar with the matter.
Boehly’s bid has long been regarded as the favorite, and when Walter joined the mix, it only strengthened their offer. The deadline for bidders to submit their final bids for Chelsea was extended to April 14.
However, British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe also jumped into the bidding late, but may only be considered a fallback option at this point.
Chelsea recently won the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup and fields an extremely young and talented roster that could only benefit from having strong leadership in the front office, which the Dodgers have become synonymous with.
They are currently in third place in the Premier League with a record of 19-9-5 for 66 points.
Walter and Boehly purchased stake in Lakers
Walter and Boehly previously partnered on another venture when they purchased Phil Anschutz’s 27% stake in the L.A. Lakers. The transaction was approved by the NBA Board of Governors.
“The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most successful and admired franchises in sports history,” Walter said in a statement at the time.
“I have watched the organization grow under Jeanie’s leadership and couldn’t be more excited to partner with her and the entire management team. I am committed to supporting the franchise’s iconic status by continuing to bring together culture, community and entertainment to Lakers’ fans.”
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