Report: Real Salt Lake Owner David Blitzer One Of Lead Bidders For EPL Giant Chelsea F.C.
Mar 25, 2022, 4:59 PM
A general view of Stanford Bridge as Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea clears the ball from Nathan Redmond of Southampton during the the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Southampton FC at Stamford Bridge on December 26, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Financial Times has reported that Real Salt Lake owner David Blitzer is among the leaders to buy English Premier League giant and current European Champions Chelsea F.C.
The report states that the top two bids came from Todd Boehly, part-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dodgers, who has partnered with Swiss billionaire Hansjoerg Wyss. While the other top bid came from David Blitzer and his business partner Josh Harris. Although Harris has no ownership stake in Real Salt Lake, he does share stakes in the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils with Blitzer. They own Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment together.
Harris and Blitzer also own minority shares in Crystal Palace F.C., an English Premier League club. If Harris and Blitzer are successful in their bid to own Chelsea F.C. they would be forced to divest their ownership in Crystal Palace F.C.
The leading bids in the race to buy Chelsea F.C. from Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich came from billionaire Todd Boehly, in one bid, and billionaire Josh Harris and his partner David Blitzer, in a separate bid https://t.co/xWeoIHU7Ov
— Forbes (@Forbes) March 25, 2022
The report also states that roughly 200 inquiries were made about the sale following the news that Russian owner Roman Abramovich was going to sell.
Another report suggests that the Ricketts family (Chicago Cubs owners) and the Boston Celtics owner Stephen Pagliuca are among the top bidders as well.
Either way, it appears as though Chelsea F.C. will eventually be bought by an American becoming the eighth Premier League club to have American investment.
Abramovich’s decision to sell Chelsea F.C. came following the U.K government’s decision to sanction him days after Russia invaded Ukraine. Chelsea has been unable to sell merchandise or tickets, essentially forcing Abramovich into a panic sale.
Abramovich bought Chelsea F.C. for $190 million in 2003 and the club is now estimated to be valued at $3.2 billion.
If Abramovich chooses a buyer, he would then need to seek authorization from the U.K. government to sell the team.
