Todd Boehly’s time as chairman of Chelsea has come to an end after he agreed to sell his ownership interest in the club to Clearlake Capital.
Chelsea confirmed that affiliates of Clearlake Capital will acquire Boehly’s stake, while also purchasing Mark Walter’s ownership interest. The transaction gives Clearlake full control of the Premier League club. Hansjörg Wyss will remain an important stakeholder and partner within the ownership group.
The change brings an end to the ownership structure that began in 2022, when Boehly and Clearlake joined forces to acquire Chelsea. At the time, the club described the new owners as custodians of Chelsea and outlined plans for long-term investment in the club.
Boehly will also leave his position as chairman.
In a statement released by Chelsea, Boehly described his time as chairman as an honour and thanked the Premier League, the club’s coaches and players, staff, leadership and supporters. He also said he valued his partnership with Clearlake and the wider ownership group.
“It has been an honour to serve as Chairman of Chelsea Football Club. 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 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”.
The Athletic had previously reported on the discussions surrounding Boehly and Walter’s Chelsea stakes. In August, reports indicated that the pair were in talks to sell their personal holdings to Clearlake, which was already the majority shareholder. The Athletic reported that the discussions followed tensions within the ownership structure that had developed during the previous two years.
Those discussions have now resulted in a completed change of control.
Despite Boehly’s departure, Chelsea says supporters should not expect an immediate change to the way the club operates. The club confirmed that there will be no changes to its day-to-day operations, leadership or strategy as a result of the ownership transition.
Clearlake has also made clear that it intends to continue along the strategic path already established during the current ownership era. According to Chelsea, the focus will remain on investment in the club’s infrastructure, sporting performance, player development and long-term success.
That makes the change less about a complete reset at Stamford Bridge and more about a shift in who has ultimate control.
When the Boehly-Clearlake consortium completed its acquisition in 2022, Chelsea said the new owners were committed to investment in areas including Stamford Bridge, the Academy, the Women’s Team and Kingsmeadow. The club also highlighted its intention to build for long-term sporting success.
Four years later, Boehly’s chapter at Chelsea has closed.
Clearlake, which had been the club’s majority owner since 2022, now takes full control. Boehly leaves with Chelsea thanking him for his contribution during the ownership period, while Clearlake’s Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano said he would always remain part of the Chelsea story and family.
For Chelsea, the message from the club is clear: the ownership has changed, but the strategy continues.
Clearlake now has full control of Chelsea. Todd Boehly is no longer chairman, and the club moves into its next phase under a single controlling ownership group.
