Clearlake Capital Takes Full Control of Chelsea After Boehly and Walter Exit
Clearlake Capital has taken full control of Chelsea after acquiring the 12.83 per cent holdings previously owned by Todd Boehly and Mark Walter, ending Boehly’s spell as chairman and reshaping the ownership group at Stamford Bridge.
Ownership change at Chelsea
| Item | Figure or date | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Club valuation | About £5bn ($6.7bn) | Including debt |
| Boehly and Walter stakes | 12.83 per cent each | Purchased by Clearlake |
| Estimated sale proceeds | £950m ($1.3bn) | Combined return for Boehly and Walter |
Swiss investor Hansjorg Wyss will keep his 12.83 per cent interest and remains part of the revised ownership structure. Clearlake had already held a 61.5 per cent majority position before completing the purchases, which follow a prolonged period of tension within the consortium.
The change comes four years after the group bought Chelsea for £2.5bn ($3.3bn) following Roman Abramovich’s sanctioned departure. Reports during 2024 indicated that Clearlake and Boehly had each considered buying out the other, but the private equity firm led by Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano has now secured control.
Boehly will leave his role as chairman with immediate effect. Chelsea have said there will be no alteration to the club’s operating model, senior leadership arrangements or long-term sporting plan as the ownership transition is completed.
In a farewell message, Boehly said it had been an honour to chair Chelsea and thanked the Premier League, the club’s coaches, players, leadership team, staff and supporters for helping to protect the club’s future. He also endorsed Clearlake’s stewardship, saying he valued the partnership and the investment decisions made for both immediate results and sustained progress.
Boehly said Chelsea were well placed to continue succeeding under Clearlake. Eghbali and Feliciano paid tribute to his contribution since the 2022 takeover, describing him as a significant partner who would remain part of the club’s history. They reiterated their intention to invest in Chelsea’s squad and sporting infrastructure, while the club praised Boehly’s commitment to keeping supporters central to its identity.
Walter’s exit is another notable element of the deal. He is under federal investigation in relation to his insurance businesses. Last month, he sold his Los Angeles Lakers holding to Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger in a transaction valuing the NBA franchise at $12.5bn, only 14 months after he had acquired it. Walter continues to own the Los Angeles Dodgers.
On the pitch, Chelsea will seek to ensure the boardroom overhaul does not interrupt their early-season progress. Xabi Alonso’s side sit sixth in the Premier League and are targeting the Champions League positions, with Clearlake pledging stability across the football and medical departments as attention returns to domestic competition.
