The former number one in the world of tennis Serena williams and the seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton have joined Martin Broughton’s bid to buy the Chelsea club from the Premier Leaguea source close to the offer told Reuters on Thursday.
The consortium of Broughton, former president of Liverpool, includes the president of world athletics, Sebastian Coe, and wealthy investors from around the world, who, according to the group, want to maintain the category of the Chelsea.
Private equity investors Josh Harris and David Blitzer, owners of sports teams including the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, also back Broughton’s offer.
Williams and Hamilton have pledged an estimated 10 million pounds ($13.06 million) each for the offer, Sky Sports reported.
Representatives for Hamilton later confirmed that the 37-year-old had joined Broughton’s bid, but said financial figures cited in the report were inaccurate, without disclosing further details.
Reuters has contacted Williams’ representatives for comment.
Williams is already an investor in Angel City FC in Los Angeleswhich plays in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Final bids were submitted earlier this month for the club, which was put up for sale by its owner. Roman Abramovich after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, before the British government imposed sanctions on the oligarch.
Other hopefuls to buy the English first division club are Todd Boehly, co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgersand Steve Pagliuca, co-owner of the Celtics de Boston.
A consortium led by the Ricketts family, which owns the Chicago Cubs, dropped out of the race.
The sale of the club is being supervised by the US bank Raine Group.
erp
