As American billionaire Todd Boehly, part owner of the LA Dodgers baseball team, buys Chelsea, cast your mind back to the absurd situation of a few weeks ago. The club was in limbo, operating at the Government’s grace and favour. Merchandise wasn’t allowed to be sold. An English Premier League club was effectively under Government control because of a vicious conflict thousands of miles away. How on earth had this happened?
The answer can be found in English football’s financial revolution. Since it was formed 30 years ago, the English Premier League has become the richest, most popular and arguably the best football league in the world. And in 2003, Roman Abramovich’s arrival at Chelsea sparked a new era. He didn’t want to make a profit or balance the books. He flooded the game with cash to turn Chelsea into one of Europe’s most successful teams.
