Chelsea’s bidders set to find out their fate
© Glyn Kirk Premier League Chelsea are up for sale
Chelsea fans can have a clear idea of who will be the next boss of the Blues this week, with US bank Raine expected to reveal their preferred bidder out of three offers.
Raine was appointed by Roman Abramovich to lead the sales process, before the Russians were hit last month by UK government sanctions over his connections with Vladimir Putin.
The European champions have since been operating under a special license that limits their ability to sell tickets, sell merchandise and operate in the transfer market.
Chelsea won 19 major trophies during Abramovich’s 19-year reign and could add one more when they face Liverpool in the FA Cup final next month.
However, the restrictions are starting to show effect, with empty seats lined up at the home end of Arsenal’s 4-2 win at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
The club also cannot offer new contracts – defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are likely to leave at the end of the season on free transfers.
© Karim Sahib Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton is part of Chelsea’s bid to buy
Hopefully there will be new owners by the end of the campaign.
Neither of the three bids is expected to pass the Premier League owners’ and directors’ test or be in trouble with the UK government’s approval.
A total of £1.5bn ($1.9bn) soft loan from Abramovich has fueled Chelsea’s success over the past two decades, but he will not claim that money and will not receive money from the sale if approved.
© Miguel Medina American businessman Stephen Pagliuca (right) bought a stake in Serie A side Atalanta in February
Despite those losses and the need for an expensive stadium upgrade to match its status as one of Europe’s top clubs, the sale was set to attract a world-record fee for the sports club of an estimated £2.5 billion. Is.
AFP Sport looks at three bids on the table.
Boehly, Wyss and Goldstein
Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Weiss first broke the news of Abramovich’s desire to sell in his homeland in an interview with the newspaper Blick.
However, it is American Todd Boehley, co-owner of Major League Baseball franchise Los Angeles Dodgers, leading his bid along with British lawyer Jonathan Goldstein.
Goldstein’s loyalty as a Tottenham fan has presented a red flag for some Chelsea fans.
But Boehli has credibility with the Dodgers’ ownership, who won the first World Series for 32 years in 2020.
He has also overseen a significant stadium redevelopment at Dodger Stadium and Stamford Bridge in need of modernization.
Broughton’s Star Power
Martin Broughton brings formidable football and business experience to the table as the former chairman of Liverpool and British Airways.
However, it is a collection of sports stars that he has gathered that has attracted attention in his bid.
Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton and tennis great Serena Williams have reportedly pledged to invest millions in Broughton’s union.
“When I heard about the opportunity, I was like wow,” Hamilton said. “It’s a great opportunity to be a part of something great.”
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe, who is a fan of Chelsea, will also join the board if the bid is successful.
The major financial investment for the bid causes a headache for the Premier League as it comes from Josh Harris and David Blitzer, who hold a stake in Crystal Palace.
Harris and Blitzer must sell their shares in Palace before being approved to become part owners of Chelsea.
Stephen Pagluka
Stephen Pagliuca, the co-owner of the Boston Celtics and Serie A club Atalanta on behalf of the National Basketball Association and co-president of Bain Capital, which has $160 billion in assets, is the last of those bidders to go public with his interest. were.
He has garnered the support of the support group True Blues Consortium, which includes former Chelsea captain John Terry.
There is even more experience in the sports business among their union.
Larry Tanenbaum has stakes in Toronto’s ice hockey, basketball and football teams as well as being the president of the NBA.
Pagliuca only bought into Atalanta in February, paying $450 million for a 47 percent stake.
KCA/JW/DJ
