Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton and 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams are reportedly joining Sir Martin Broughton’s bid to try and purchase Chelsea Football Club from Roman Abramovich.
In what has got Chelsea fans excited, seven-time Formula 1 world champions Lewis Hamilton and 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Willams are reportedly joining Sir Martin Broughton's bid to purchase Chelsea Football Club from Roman Abramovich.
According to a Sky Sports report, the paid are set to invest up to 20 million pounds if Broughton's bid is successful. The report adds that the Mercedes driver is 'likely to play a formal role in Chelsea's future efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion if the bid is successful.'
BREAKING | Sir Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams are committing millions of pounds to one of the bids vying to become the new owners of Chelsea Football Club ⬇pic.twitter.com/CXqs0kEdBw
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1)The former chairman of Liverpool FC is spearheading one of three bids 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.
Hamilton and Williams form part of Broughton's consortium, including 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.
Other investors who have joined Broughton's bid include the Canadian Rogers family, the Tsai family of Taiwan, and brewing magnate Alejandro Santo Domingo.
Following this news, fans of the west London club took to Twitter to express their views, with some even suggesting that it appears everyone in the world is looking to buy Chelsea. Here's a look at some of the reactions.
Everyone in the world is currently trying to buy Chelsea.
⚽️ Saudi Media Company
⚽️ Ricketts Family
⚽️ Serena Williams
⚽️ Lewis Hamilton
⚽️ Sportybet
⚽️ Jesus
⚽️ Me
I think Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams investing in Chelsea is very interesting🤔
I've seen a lot of fans get caught up on the financials but I think the impact of having forward-thinking and intelligent people in our board room is vital👏💙
As per Sir Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams are part of the Sir Martin Broughton bid to buy Chelsea. Adds world-class sporting expertise and added diversity to the bid, plus undoubted stardust. More on
— Alistair Magowan (@alistairmagowan)Taking a small break from the madness and the chaos of today in , a bid for my football team has received a funding pledge from my favourite F1 champion ! Delighted, hope this works out!!https://t.co/wmrm5RF74p
— Charana Kanankegamage (@CharanaK)Serena Williams and Sir Lewis Hamilton have reportedly joined Sir Martin Broughton’s bid to buy Chelsea.
Are we about to see the first Black owners of a Premier League club? 👀 pic.twitter.com/0Hf2oWVKtw
this is so hard😭😭😭https://t.co/i220rSionA
— 🎅🏿 (@47calvo)Serena Williams and Sir Lewis Hamilton, two of the world's biggest sports stars, are committing millions as part of a bid to become the new owners of Chelsea Football Club.
If successful, they will become the first Black owners of a Premier League club 🙌🏾✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/F0sDGbZWPo
Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams buying Chelsea was not on my 2022 bingo card
— Lancer Evo🇷🇴🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@LancerEvo_II)Squealing at the thought of Serena Williams and Lewis Hamilton part-owning Chelsea Football Club.
Absolutely squealing 🤗https://t.co/7NVnYbsPC9
🚨 Chelsea sale: Serena Williams and Lewis Hamilton to invest in takeover bid led by Martin Broughton 👀
[THREAD] 🧵https://t.co/mhOmn4AaCK
Manifest Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams to own Chelsea for the black community 💜👍🏽 pic.twitter.com/KAuz0oRt9R
— Lisa😈💜 (@checkthetea)Serena Williams & Lewis Hamilton have put in a bid for Chelsea £10 million each 🤣🤣🤣🤣 please please be accepted 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
— Tottenham Ross! (@JohnDan34826591)Look the news that Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams are in to buy Chelsea has me convinced I might change to blue.. https://t.co/8NYDMKfqaF
— Get Your Vaccine !! (@Da_Me_3)If the bid gets accepted, the Project 44 portfolio grows. Worthy investment for Hamilton and Co. as Premier League reaches even bigger heights and diversity becomes more of a talking point.https://t.co/XYUYQZzrAb
— Rory Mitchell (@RoryMitchell)The west London side has been up for sale since current owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, with the billionaire's close ties with President Vladimir Putin coming under intense security.
The Russian oligarch's UK assets have been frozen, putting Chelsea in a massive financial soup as they struggle to carry on their day-to-day transactions, including the sale of tickets or opening up of their retail stores.
Chelsea suffered yet another shock defeat at home against Arsenal on Wednesday on the pitch. Real Madrid knocked the Blues out of the UEFA Champions League last week, and Chelsea also lost the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool in February. Thomas Tuchel's men are not in contention to win the Premier League but did secure their first-ever FIFA Club World Cup victory in January and will face Liverpool again in the final of the FA Cup at Wembley in May.