As Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich is being forced to quickly sell Chelsea FC, the most recent Champions League and Club World Cup champion in soccer, several interested parties and people have started to appear in the scene, including a direct link to MLB.
Abramovich was hit with UK Government sanctions (a result of the war between Russia and Ukraine) and disqualified from being Chelsea’s director.
According to the Daily Mirror, “Chelsea are under strict rules following the Government sanctions as new ticket sales have been frozen and the club has been given a £20,000 limit for travel to away games which means they will have to travel to Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough by coach and cannot afford a hotel.”
A takeover is looking imminent, and among the candidates to be the next Chelsea owner, is the current ownership group of the Chicago Cubs.
Per B/R Football, “the Ricketts family, which owns the Chicago Cubs, and billionaire Ken Griffin have said they will make a joint-bid for Chelsea before Friday.”
The Ricketts family, which owns the Chicago Cubs, and billionaire Ken Griffin have said they will make a joint-bid for Chelsea before Friday. pic.twitter.com/StPoqidMFl
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 16, 2022
That’s in a couple of days, as per the sale’s deadline to receive bids.
Big Shoes To Fill
Their interest in an adventure in top flight soccer is an ambitious one: Chelsea, under Abramovich, became one of the world’s most successful teams, winning multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, Community Shields, Champions League, Europa League, and a Club World Cup championship a few weeks ago.
The Ricketts family released a statement confirming their intentions:
“The Ricketts Family, owners of the Chicago Cubs, can confirm they will be leading an investment group that will make a formal bid for Chelsea Football Club this Friday.
“As long-time operators of an iconic professional sports team, the Ricketts Family & partners understand the importance of investing for success on the pitch while respecting the traditions of the club, the fans & the community.
“We look forward to sharing further details of our plans in due course.”
Will the Ricketts family win their bid and continue Chelsea’s recent run of success?
Only time will tell.
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