Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton and 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams are joining Sir Martin Broughton’s bid to try and purchase Chelsea Football Club from Roman Abramovich.
Sky Sports reports that the pair, who have become close friends throughout their careers at the pinnacle of their respective sports, will invest up to a combined £20m if Broughton’s bid is successful.
The former chairman of Liverpool FC is spearheading one of three bids which are competing to take control of the Stamford Bridge club. The other two come from LA Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly and Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca respectively.
Hamilton and Williams form part of Broughton’s consortium, which also includes financial backing from American private equity billionaires Josh Harris and Dave Blitzer, who would control a majority stake in the club. The pair currently hold shares in Crystal Palace, which they would be required to sell in the event of taking over Chelsea.
The Premier League club has been up for sale since current owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the end of February, with the oligarch’s close links to Russian president Vladimir Putin coming under scrutiny.
Abramovich’s UK assets have been frozen, which has put Chelsea in a precarious financial position, as they can no longer perform day-to-day transactions including selling match tickets as normal or opening retail stores while Abramovich retains control of the club.
Sponsors including telecoms firm Three and car manufacturer Hyundai have suspended their agreements with the club, and with football clubs operating on low liquidity business models, the need to sell soon is clear.
On the pitch, Chelsea were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Real Madrid earlier this week, and lost the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool in February.