Roman Abramovich's decision to sell Chelsea has prompted more than 300 expressions of interest for the Raine Group - the New York merchant bank that Abramovich hired to find a buyer - sources told ESPN, with at least 10 credible. considered as parties.
Sources told ESPN that Redbird Capital Partners, a Manhattan-based private equity company founded by Gerry Cardinale and advised by Oakland Athletics executive vice president Billy Bean, has been conducting several assessments of the viability of the bid for the Champions League. US-based groups. Holder Chelsea, which is valued at £3 billion ($3.97 billion).
In addition, Michael Rubin, owner of sports merchandise group Fanatics, is also working on a bid, sources told ESPN. Earlier this week, Fanatics raised $1.5 billion in a new round of funding to take its total valuation to $27 billion, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
Los Angeles Dodgers and LA Lakers part owner Todd Boehli is working with Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyse to prepare a bid to submit the first signs of an offer before the Rhine Group's March 15 deadline, sources said. told ESPN.
The Redbirds, which acquired an 11% stake in Fenway Sports Group, owners of Liverpool and Boston Red Sox owners in March 2021, have been examining opportunities to acquire a European football team in recent months and Abramovich's decision to sell has put the group in a shambles. Alerted to the possibility of buying. One of the leading names in world football.
The Rhine Group, which sources say will earn a 1.5% commission from any sales charges, structured the deal in 2019, in which American investment group Silver Lake bought a $500m stake in Premier League champions Manchester City.
Efforts to find a buyer for NFL franchise Denver Broncos, led by New York-based investment bank Allen & Co, are helping to uncover potential buyers to Chelsea, sources have said. While the sale is not linked, the two teams are considered to be of equal value to investors looking to acquire a globally renowned sporting brand.