According to a report from The Telegraph, the relationship between Boehly and Clearlake Capital has worsened significantly, reaching what has been described as a “breaking point.”
This breakdown in communication and understanding could result in a severe internal struggle, which some sources have likened to a “civil war” within the club’s leadership.
Todd Boehly, an American businessman who holds a minority share in Chelsea, is said to view the current structure of the club’s ownership as unsustainable.
He reportedly feels that the ongoing disagreements and the lack of unity among the club’s top investors are creating major challenges that require immediate attention.
In response to this growing friction, Boehly is reportedly considering buying out Clearlake Capital’s shares in the club as part of his plan to assume full control of Chelsea.
It has been suggested that Boehly, who is 50 years old, is confident in his ability to quickly gather the necessary £2.5 billion to make an offer to Clearlake for their shares.
This potential buyout aligns with Boehly’s vision for the long-term future of Chelsea, which includes ambitious plans to build a new stadium as part of a broader 20- to 30-year strategy for the club’s development.
However, Clearlake Capital, which currently owns a majority 61.5% stake in Chelsea, reportedly has no interest in selling their shares.
Instead, they are believed to be more inclined to increase their stake in the club rather than relinquish any ownership.
The fundamental difference in strategic vision between Boehly and Clearlake Capital is thought to be the root cause of their escalating conflict.
Boely seeks full control to implement his vision for the club, while Clearlake appears to favor maintaining or even increasing their current stake, seeing their involvement as a long-term investment.
At this point, there have been no official negotiations between Boehly, Clearlake, or the other investors regarding a potential sale of shares.
However, as tensions continue to mount, it is possible that formal discussions could take place soon, as both parties assess their next moves.
Clearlake Capital, a private equity firm co-owned by Chelsea’s other co-owners, Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano, acquired its majority stake in Chelsea as part of the BlueCo consortium.
This consortium purchased Chelsea from its previous owner, Roman Abramovich, in 2022 for £2.5 billion.
As part of the deal, Clearlake and its partners also committed an additional £1.75 billion to further invest in the club. Since that time, around £1.5 billion has already been spent on new player signings to strengthen the team.
Currently, the remaining 38.5% of Chelsea’s shares are divided equally between Todd Boehly, Hansjörg Wyss, and Mark Walter, all of whom are also part of the ownership group.
Given Clearlake’s unwillingness to sell and Boehly’s potential bid for full ownership, a significant confrontation between the two sides could be on the horizon.
