
AI-generated summary
Mark Walter, owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, had agreed to sell his controlling stake in the Los Angeles Lakers to Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger. This sale renewed attention on dual federal criminal and SEC investigations into whether investments by two insurers controlled by Walter were properly disclosed as affiliated or related-party transactions.
Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter is selling his minority stake in Chelsea Football Club to Clearlake Capital, Chelsea said in a statement Wednesday night.
Clearlake, which already held a 61.5% stake in the club, is also acquiring the stake of Chelsea Chairman Todd Boehly, giving it full control of the storied club, according to Chelsea.
Boehly, who is a co-owner of the Dodgers, and Walter each held about 12.8% of the club.
The Financial Times reported that the two men will receive a combined £950 million, or $1.27 billion, for their stakes in the deal, which values Chelsea at £5 billion. Boehly is departing as the club's chairman.
The Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss "will remain an important stakeholder and partner in the ownership group," the club's statement said.
The sale comes more than a month after the announcement that Walter had agreed to sell his controlling ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers to Joshua Kushner and Bob Iger.
The Lakers deal focused renewed attention on dual federal criminal and Securities and Exchange Commission investigations into whether roughly $21 billion in investments by two insurers controlled by Walter — Delaware Life Insurance and Clear Spring Life and Annuity — were properly disclosed as affiliated or related-party transactions.
Walter's holding company, TWG Global, in a statement on Aug. 26, said, "Despite what has been reported, there has been no fraud" at that company and its subsidiaries.
"TWG is committed to working with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission to resolve their inquiries," the company said.
Behdad Eghbali and José Feliciano, co-founders of Clearlake Capital, singled out Boehly in a statement.
"Todd has been an important partner throughout our ownership of Chelsea, and we thank him for his time and contribution as Chairman," they said.
"He will always be a part of the Chelsea story and family. Clearlake has served as Chelsea's majority owner since 2022, and as we move to full control our focus is to continue investing in the Club's infrastructure, sporting performance, player development and delivering long-term success for Chelsea and the Club's supporters," they said.
Chelsea said, "There will be no changes to the day-to-day operations, leadership or strategy at the Club."
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Clearlake Capital will increase investment in Chelsea's infrastructure and player development
Likely · Within months
Federal investigations into TWG Global's insurers will continue
Likely · Within months

Following Manuel Neuer's retirement, Germany's national football team faces a goalkeeper vacancy. Coach Jürgen Klopp must choose between veteran options like Oliver Baumann and Marc-André ter Stegen, or younger prospects like Jonas Urbig and Noah Atubolu.

FIFA announced it will present a review of the abandoned 'FIFA Forward Enterprise' proposal to its Council after Danish football chief Jesper Moller criticized the organization's lack of transparency regarding the scrapped commercial project.

Richard Sykes is set to resign as chair of Middlesex County Cricket Club after three years following pressure from former players, adding to ongoing leadership and governance challenges at the club.

University of Texas quarterback Arch Manning apologized on social media after facing backlash for laughing at an AI-generated video showing head coach Steve Sarkisian striking ESPN reporter Holly Rowe. Manning acknowledged his comments were hurtful and expressed regret, particularly to Rowe, who confirmed she accepted his apology following a private conversation. The incident occurred after Texas's 24-23 win over Ohio State.

Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin is back on the ice in the US for his 22nd NHL season after appearing in a video promoting Russia's ruling party, United Russia, renewing focus on his long-standing support for Vladimir Putin.

NHL star Alex Ovechkin, the league's all-time leading goalscorer, appeared in a campaign ad for Russia's United Russia party alongside pro-Putin figures including Sergey Lavrov and Margarita Simonyan, as he prepares for the new hockey season.