Who are the four billionaires linked with buying out Roman Abramovich at Chelsea?
- Joe Hewlett
- 4 March 2022
After almost 19 years and 21 trophies, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is intent on selling the club. And despite the reported £3billion asking price, there is no shortage of interest.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has thrown the spotlight on Abramovich's financial dealings amid claims of his close ties with Vladimir Putin. With the threat of sanctions hanging over him, a sale would have to be wrapped up pretty swiftly and a number of interested parties have already shown their hand.
Planet Sport looks at the possible contenders to take control at Chelsea.
Hansjorg Wyss
Net worth: £4billion
The Swiss billionaire - labelled as 'one of the most philanthropic people in the world' by Forbes - sold his company to Johnson & Johnson for £14billion in 2012.
His standout donation was to two universities in Zurich (University of Zurich and ETH Zurich) which totalled an incredible £89million.
🚨 Roman Abramovich has set Chelsea's sale price at €3.6 billion.
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) March 2, 2022
(Source: Daily Mail)
🚨 Hansjorg Wyss, one of the richest men in Switzerland, has said he has received an offer to buy Chelsea. He wants 4 or 5 days of reflection to consider his options. 🇨🇭
(Source: Blick) pic.twitter.com/3kizzc4R4G
Todd Boehly
Net worth: £4billion
Boelhy - reportedly set to join forces with Wyss - attempted to buy Chelsea in 2019 but his bid of more than £2billion was rejected by Abramovich.
The American tycoon, 46, is the chairman and CEO of private investment firm Eldridge Industries.
Boelhy, who studied at the London School of Economics, is a co-owner of baseball team the Los Angeles Dodgers and also owns a stake in basketball's Los Angeles Lakers.
Boehly is known for his charity work and is involved with helping the Prostate Cancer Foundation. He also joined the Dave Thomas Foundation in 2019 for Adoption - the only non-profit charity in North America dedicated to finding permanent homes for children in foster care.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Net worth: £6.33billion
Ratcliffe was the UK's richest man in 2018 with a reported worth of £12billion, according to the Sunday Times.
However, in 2021 he was ranked as the 25th richest Brit with his wealth shrinking to £6.33billion.
In 2018, Ineos had a turnover of £45billion and was worth £35billion but as of 2021, it was valued at £10billion.
Interestingly, Ratcliffe has a season ticket at Stamford Bridge despite claiming to be a Manchester United fan.
If Ratcliffe becomes the new owner of Chelsea then it won't be the first time he has dipped his toes into the sporting world. In 2019, he put £91million into Ligue 1 side Nice. Ratcliffe also owns British cycling team Ineos Grenadiers which is managed by Dave Brailsford and numbers Geraint Thomas, Egan Bernal and Richie Porte among its riders.
Stephen Ross
Net worth: £6billion
American Ross was one of the brains behind the failed European Super League project.
Six Premier League teams initially agreed to join it alongside the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona but within 48 hours the idea collapsed following a revolt from fans in England.
Backlash is hitting billionaire Stephen Ross—Equinox, SoulCycle, and Dolphins owner—over his Trump fundraiser https://t.co/VKgpsccxM4 by @lisettevoytko pic.twitter.com/vBqyYuCy04
— Forbes (@Forbes) August 7, 2019
