Lewis Hamilton, Serena Williams join Martin Broughton's bid to buy Chelsea

Mercedes' British F1 Driver Lewis Hamilton, along with Serena Williams are said to put cash into the acquisition of Chelsea. Photo: Karim Sahib/AFP

Mercedes' British F1 Driver Lewis Hamilton, along with Serena Williams are said to put cash into the acquisition of Chelsea. Photo: Karim Sahib/AFP

Published Apr 21, 2022

Share

London - Former tennis world number one Serena Williams and seven-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton have joined Martin Broughton's bid to buy Premier League club Chelsea, a source close to the bid told Reuters on Thursday.

Former Liverpool chairman Broughton's consortium includes World Athletics President Sebastian Coe and wealthy investors from around the world, who the group says all want to maintain Chelsea's top status.

Private equity veterans Josh Harris and David Blitzer, who own sport teams including the National Basketball Association's Philadelphia 76ers, are also backing Broughton's bid.

ALSO READ: Ricketts-led consortium withdraws bid to buy Chelsea

Williams and Hamilton have pledged an estimated 10 million pounds ($13.06 million) each to the bid.

Reuters have reached out to Broughton and Williams' representatives for comment.

ALSO READ: Chelsea fan group says majority do not support Ricketts family's bid for club

Williams is already an investor in Los Angeles' Angel City FC, which plays in the National Women's Soccer League.

Final bids for the club, which was put up for sale by owner Roman Abramovich following Russia's invasion of Ukraine before sanctions were imposed on the oligarch by the British government, were submitted earlier this month.

Others on the shortlist to buy the English premiership club are LA Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly and Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca.

A consortium led by Chicago Cubs owners the Ricketts family pulled out of the running.

The club's sale is being overseen by U.S. bank Raine Group.

Reuters