Clearlake Capital acquires Todd Boehly and Mark Walter stakes to take full control of Chelsea

Ownership restructuring and valuation

Chelsea Football Club confirmed on 17 September 2026 that subsidiaries of private equity firm Clearlake Capital Group are buying out the minority holdings of co-owners Todd Boehly and Mark Walter. The transaction gives Clearlake, co-founded by Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano, full control of the English Premier League club. Prior to the agreement, Clearlake held a 61.5% stake, while Boehly and Walter owned a combined 25.6% alongside Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss. Under the transaction structure, Clearlake's shareholding increases to 86.5%, while Wyss remains a minority partner and shareholder. Financial reporting from the Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal indicates Boehly and Walter will receive £950 million in cash, or $1.27 billion, providing almost $650 million to each investor in a deal valuing Chelsea at £5 billion including debt.

Departure of Todd Boehly

The sale concludes Boehly's four-year tenure as club chairman, a role he assumed in May 2022 when the consortium purchased Chelsea from Roman Abramovich following British government sanctions. The original 2022 acquisition was completed for £2.5 billion, with British media estimating the total transaction package at £4.25 billion. Friction between Clearlake and Boehly grew over the subsequent four transfer windows amid high player spending and uneven league performance. Beyond Chelsea, the deal also transfers full control of French club RC Strasbourg to Clearlake under the BlueCo consortium. Walter and Boehly remain co-owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, while Walter separately sold his stake in the Los Angeles Lakers basketball franchise in August 2026 for $12.5 billion. Boehly confirmed his departure in a statement released by the club.

“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.”

Sporting trajectory under Xabi Alonso

On the pitch, Chelsea appointed former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso as manager on 1 July 2026. Alonso arrived to revitalize a squad that finished 10th in the Premier League last season, contrasting with their 2024–2025 campaign when Chelsea finished fourth and won both the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup. Alonso revealed that Eghbali traveled to Madrid to present the long-term sporting vision and secure his agreement. Chelsea currently sits sixth in the Premier League table, having recorded two wins, one draw, and one defeat across their opening four games. Speaking ahead of Friday's away fixture against Brentford, Alonso expressed support for the ownership resolution.

“And now that Behdad is taking more control, almost full control, I think it's good that the main one is clear.”

May 2022 acquisition2.5

September 2026 buyout5

May 2022 acquisition

2.5 £B

September 2026 buyout

5 £B

Data from the article text

Club governance and upcoming fixtures

Clearlake stated that club operations, strategic direction, and sporting leadership will continue unchanged following the acquisition of the shares. Co-founders Eghbali and Feliciano announced that their priorities include investing in stadium and training infrastructure, player development, and sustained competitive performance. Chelsea has not yet announced who will replace Boehly as club chairman. Ahead of Friday's match against Brentford, Alonso reported that captain Reece James, Marco Palestra, and Jordan Henderson face late fitness tests. Midfielder Moises Caicedo may return after missing three games with an injury, and forward Joao Pedro remains in contention before the squad enters an extended three-week international break.