Clearlake Capital has acquired full control of Chelsea Football Club after buying out co-owners Todd Boehly, Mark Walter, and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss. The ownership transition ends Boehly’s tenure as chairman, which began with a £2.3bn takeover in May 2022 following Roman Abramovich’s government-mandated sale.
The Ownership Buyout and Clearlake’s Full Control
Clearlake Capital Group, LP has assumed full control of Chelsea Football Club following a definitive ownership transition announced in September 2026. The private equity firm, led by co-founders Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano, previously owned 61.5 per cent of the Blues.
Todd Boehly, Mark Walter, and Hansjorg Wyss each held a 12.8 per cent stake in the club. Under the terms of the transaction, Boehly and Walter sold their entire shares to Clearlake. Clearlake also acquired Mark Walter’s ownership interest as part of the shift. Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss also sold his stake.
Behind the Rift: Tensions That Sparked the Sale
The buyout follows internal friction within the ownership group. Multiple sources indicated that talks started after a rift, which first became apparent in 2024, prompted both sides to explore buying each other out. BBC Sport initially reported in August that Boehly and Walter were exploring selling their stakes.
Disagreements over club infrastructure development contributed to the friction. Chelsea has maintained ongoing plans either to redevelop Stamford Bridge or move to a new stadium, a subject that created tension at times between Boehly’s camp and Clearlake.
Todd Boehly Departs After Four Years as Chairman
American businessman Todd Boehly leaves his role as chairman, a position he held since the consortium purchased the club from Roman Abramovich in May 2022. Abramovich had been sanctioned by the UK government in March 2022 over alleged links to Russian President Vladimir Putin, something he has denied.
Reflecting on his departure, Boehly, who is also a co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball franchise, stated that it had been an honour to serve as Chelsea chairman
.
“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.”
Todd Boehly, via BBC Sport
Clearlake co-founders acknowledged Boehly’s departure by noting that he will always be a part of the Chelsea story and family, while thanking him for his time and contribution
as chairman.
What Clearlake’s Full Control Means for Chelsea’s Strategy
Chelsea confirmed in an official club statement that there will be no changes to the day-to-day operations, leadership or strategy at the club as a result of the transition.
Since the initial 2022 takeover, the club has experienced a high turnover of players under an initial strategy focused on signing young talent to long-term contracts. On the pitch, Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League last season, and their highest Premier League finish is fourth in 2024-25, with the club also winning the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup that season. The club subsequently appointed Xabi Alonso as manager in the summer.
Looking ahead, Eghbali and Feliciano outlined their immediate priorities for the club under sole control.
“Clearlake has served as Chelsea’s majority owner since 2022, and as we move to full control our focus is to continue investing in the club’s infrastructure, sporting performance, player development and delivering long-term success for Chelsea and the club’s supporters.”
Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano, via Shropshire Star