Key Takeaways:
- Todd Boehly and Mark Walter sold their 12.8% Chelsea stakes each to Clearlake Capital, granting Clearlake full club control
- Clearlake paid nearly £1bn for the combined shares, bringing Chelsea’s estimated value to around £5bn
- Boehly stepped down as chairman, and ongoing Stamford Bridge redevelopment plans had previously caused ownership tensions
Ownership Transition and Financial Details
Todd Boehly, the now-former chairman of Chelsea, and club director Mark Walter have divested their stakes in the West London football club, selling to Clearlake Capital. With this move, Clearlake – headed by Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano – takes full command of Chelsea FC. The restructuring means both Boehly and Walter relinquished their respective 12.8% holdings, while Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss retains his 12.8% interest and remains “an important stakeholder and partner in the ownership group”, as outlined in an official statement from the club.
Prior to this transaction, Clearlake already controlled 61.5% of the club. The nearly £1bn payout for Boehly’s and Walter’s shares collectively represents about a quarter of Chelsea’s ownership, with sources close to the deal confirming a maintained club valuation of around £5bn.
A message from Chelsea Football Club's ownership.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 17, 2026
| Owner | Previous Stake (%) | Post-Transaction Stake (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Clearlake Capital | 61.5 | ~86 |
| Todd Boehly | 12.8 | 0 |
| Mark Walter | 12.8 | 0 |
| Hansjorg Wyss | 12.8 | 12.8 |
Management Changes and Legacy
After serving as chairman since Chelsea’s £2.3bn acquisition from Roman Abramovich in 2022, Boehly has vacated his chairman position, while Walter has also exited the board. The transfer of ownership follows internal disputes which surfaced earlier in 2024, prompting negotiations between the consortium members, according to multiple sources.
Boehly, who also co-owns the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, commented: “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,” before adding, “I have valued my partnership with Clearlake and the wider ownership group, and the collective decisions and investment we have made to support the immediate and long-term success of the club. I am confident that Chelsea is well positioned for continued success under Clearlake’s leadership.”
Additionally, Boehly and Walter have divested from Chelsea’s Ligue 1 affiliate club Strasbourg.
Performance and Club Strategy since Takeover
Since the 2022 takeover, Chelsea’s best Premier League finish has been fourth place in the 2024-25 season, alongside UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup triumphs in that same campaign. Over the past four years, the club has experienced a substantial turnover of playing staff, initially focusing on signing young talents to extended contracts.
The Blues finished 10th in the league last term and appointed Xabi Alonso as manager during the summer.
Future Directions under Clearlake
Eghbali and Feliciano expressed appreciation for Boehly’s contribution, stating he “will always be a part of the Chelsea story and family.” They affirmed ongoing commitments to improve club infrastructure, enhance sporting performance, focus on player development, and pursue long-term success for Chelsea and its supporters.
Strategic projects, including the possible redevelopment of Stamford Bridge or a potential stadium relocation, continue to progress; sources indicate these plans had previously caused friction between Boehly’s group and Clearlake.
The club has confirmed there will be “no changes to the day-to-day operations, leadership or strategy at the club” following Clearlake’s acquisition of full ownership.
