A major ownership change has reshaped Chelsea and Strasbourg after Todd Boehly and Mark Walter sold their stakes to Clearlake Capital. The investment firm already owned 62% of Chelsea and now holds full control after agreeing to pay the two Americans £950 million, around €1.1 billion, in cash, according to the Financial Times.
The deal values Chelsea at roughly £5 billion, including debt, and ends Boehly’s four-year spell as chairman after he helped acquire the London club from Roman Abramovich for around €2.9 billion in 2022. Hansjörg Wyss will remain a shareholder in the group.
Chelsea confirmed the transaction in an official statement, saying Clearlake affiliates would acquire Boehly’s stake before also taking over Walter’s shares. The change follows several years of disagreements between Boehly and Clearlake over the club’s management, while Chelsea continued to invest heavily in the transfer market. Boehly’s ownership produced the Club World Cup in 2025 after a final victory over PSG, as well as the Europa Conference League, but the club also faced criticism over its recruitment strategy and sporting consistency. Boehly thanked the Premier League, Chelsea’s coaches, players, staff and supporters before expressing confidence in the club’s future under Clearlake.
The ownership change also directly affects Strasbourg through the BlueCo structure. Clearlake Capital, already the majority stakeholder in the consortium, will now control the entire operation after Boehly and Walter exit. Boehly also highlighted his partnership with Clearlake and the wider shareholder group, pointing to their collective investments and decisions during his time at Chelsea. The new structure gives Clearlake complete control over both clubs as the group enters a new phase of its multi-club strategy.
