Raine’s contribution is likely to influence the decision of the Chelsea hierarchy and it is believed that the highest bid will not necessarily be the successful one. Abramovich, who was hit by sanctions after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, is also expected to take into account the club’s future prosperity. The Russian billionaire wants Chelsea, which could be sold for up to 75 2.75 billion, to be in good hands. Bidders all have a heavy background in American sports. They include a joint venture led by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly, and one of the Chicago Cubs owners Tom and Laura Ricketts. A consortium led by Sir Martin Broughton and Sebastian Coe has received support from Philadelphia 76ers basketball owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer. The fourth bid is led by Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca. All four teams say their offers are cash only and will not burden Chelsea with debt. Sources close to the process believe that a preferred bid could emerge after Monday. However, there were delays throughout and there could be no developments until the end of next week. The Premier League will have to ensure that every bidder passes the fitness test and the right holder, while the government’s top priority is to ensure that no money goes from the sale to Abramovich. The government will have to issue a permit for the sale to take place. At first glance, Boehly’s offer seems to be the one with the fewest complications. He has worked with fellow Dodgers owner Mark Walter, Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss and London businessman Jonathan Goldstein. The group is supported by the investment company Clearlake Capital. Sources rejected the suggestions that Clearlake would take the majority of the shares. Tory peer Daniel Finkelstein and journalist Barbara Charone will become non-executive directors if Boehly’s bid wins. The Boehly group was the first to move when it became clear that Abramovich’s ownership could not be extended. He would have been able to complete a takeover by now if Raine had not decided to bid. However, the other groups are firmly in the controversy. The Ricketts family has not been intimidated by Chelsea fans who oppose their attempt at historic allegations of Islamophobia. They partnered with hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin and Rock Entertainment Group, led by Dan Gilbert, which is valued at $ 31 billion (23 23.7 billion). The Ricketts plan to add Karan Bilimoria, a Tory peer, Chelsea fan and Cobra Beer founder, to the board. Broughton and Lord Coe are also considered viable owners, although they have not named all the investors behind their group. Their offer is complicated by the fact that Harris and Blitzer own shares in Crystal Palace that they would have to sell to become shareholders in Chelsea. The Fiver: subscribe and receive our daily football email. Pagliuca will need to reduce his stake in Atalanta if his bid is successful. With him are Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin and Elaine Andriejanssen, Saverin’s businessman and wife, along with NBA President Larry Tanenbaum. Peter Guber, who owns the Dodgers with Boehly, is also involved in Pagliuca’s offer and is backed by former Disney CEO Bob Iger, B Capital co-founder Raj Ganguly, businessman Jim Breyer and businessman Div Turakhia. The teams have been informed that they must commit to invest at least 1 1 billion in Chelsea’s infrastructure, academy and women’s team. All bidders have plans to renovate Stamford Bridge. They will want to give transfer support to Thomas Tuchel, the coach of the men’s team, this summer.
