Ricketts’ Chelsea FC Ownership Plan Excludes Super League

Chelsea FC has narrowed its potential new owner down to four preferred bidders, and a week after it was revealed that Todd Boehly had started discussions about Stamford Bridge’s redevelopment, the Ricketts family has made their own plans public.

The owners of the Chicago Cubs made an eight-point list of promises should they acquire the iconic club, including zero involvement in a European Super League, maintaining diversity, stadium redevelopment, and keeping the team’s branding.

• The promises come on the heels of resurfaced racist emails from TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts.
• Fans gathered in protest of the family’s takeover, despite Joe Ricketts reportedly not being involved in the bid. 
• The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust said 77% of its members do not support it.

The Ricketts are still seen as one of the leading contenders to take over the club from Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. The bid would reportedly be an all-equity offer.

Additional Investors

The Ricketts’ consortium, which includes Citadel founder Ken Griffin, reportedly added Rock Entertainment Group, which is backed by Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, as an investor. Gilbert is one of the richest people in America, worth roughly $22.7 billion, and has invested more than $400 million into the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. 

The consortium has added U.S. investment bank Jefferies as an advisor and listed specifications about what its advisory board would look like. The Ricketts added that they would ensure the women’s team will play matches at Stamford Bridge.