Sir Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams are reportedly launching an unlikely bid alongside former Liverpool chairman Sir Martin Broughton to become the new owners of Chelsea.
The Londoners have been facing uncertainty over their future since sanctions were imposed on Roman Abramovich last month by the UK government over 'clear links' to Russia president Vladimir Putin. Still on the lookout for his replacement, two of the world's biggest sports stars are joining forces with Broughton in a bid to gain control of Chelsea.
An exclusive report by Sky News has revealed the duo are prepared to pledge £10million each as part of the proposal, having already become established investors in recent years. Away from Formula One, Hamilton has supported a range of developing companies such as Zapp and Bowery Farming. Williams, the world-renowned women's tennis star, has also followed a similar path by launching a venture capital fund named 'Serena Ventures'.
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The two global figures are being led in their pursuit of the London club by Broughton, who served as Liverpool chairman between April 2010 and December 2010 and oversaw the takeover of the Reds from the ruinous regime of Tom Hicks and George Gillett to the John Henry led Fenway Sports Group.
A lifelong Chelsea supporter, the 75-year-old believes his consortium approach would offer the London club 'stability' at a time of uncertainty.
“We have submitted a bid. We’re optimistic because I think we’ve got the key ingredients," he told talkSPORT. “Personally, I’ve been there and done it at Liverpool, so I know what I’m letting myself in for. I think we’ve got a bid which combine s a group of individuals, so there’s no one person in charge.
“All the risks around a single-party owner – geopolitical like we’re seeing now, financial like at Liverpool, health etc – can throw a club into confusion. A consortium gives stability to the club – people who are going to invest in the future with no timeline, no exit timeline."
The remaining bidders to buy Chelsea are led by LA Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly and Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca.
