Chelsea are now fully owned by Clearlake as Todd Boehly walks away

Chelsea’s ownership has changed hands three years after the takeover

Boehly and Walter previously each owned 12.8% of Chelsea, while Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss held another 12.8%. 

Clearlake already had the largest share in the club, with a 61.5% stake under the control of co-founders Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano.

Following the latest deal, Boehly has also stepped down as Chelsea’s chairman, a position he had held since the current ownership group took over in 2022.

Wyss, however, will continue to have a role in the club’s ownership. Chelsea confirmed that he “will remain an important stakeholder and partner in the ownership group”.

The changes mark a new stage for the consortium, which bought Chelsea for £2.3 billion in 2022. 

The takeover came after Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government over alleged links to Russian President Vladimir Putin, allegations Abramovich has denied.

Clearlake’s increased control now leaves the investment firm as the dominant force within Chelsea’s ownership structure.

Todd Boehly says he is confident about Chelsea’s future

Chelsea’s change in ownership brings an end to Todd Boehly’s time as chairman, with the American stepping away after four years at the club.

Boehly described the role as an “honour” and said he was grateful to everyone involved in helping secure what he believes is “a bright future for the club”. 

He also praised his relationship with Clearlake Capital and the wider ownership group, pointing to the investment made since the takeover.

“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,” he said.

Boehly added: “I am confident that Chelsea is well positioned for continued success under Clearlake's leadership.”

Boehly and Walter had been considering an exit for some time

The split had been expected for some time. BBC reported back in August that Boehly and Mark Walter were considering selling their stakes after tensions developed within the ownership group. 

The disagreement was said to have become apparent in 2024, with the two sides eventually exploring deals that would allow one to buy the other out.

The pair have also ended their involvement with Strasbourg, selling their stake in the French club, which had operated as Chelsea’s partner team.

Chelsea’s results since the 2022 takeover have included a fourth-place Premier League finish in 2024-25, alongside victories in the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup.

That period has also been defined by a major overhaul of the squad, with Chelsea signing a large number of young players on lengthy contracts.