LA Dodgers co-owners going head-to-head for Chelsea – one is part of £261bn fund

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They worked side by side as they won the 2020 World Series, but LA Dodgers’ co-owners Mark Walter and Peter Guber will be battling against each other for the ownership of Chelsea.

The American billionaires have respectively joined Todd Boehly’s and Stephen Pagliuca’s respective consortium bids for the west Londoners. In a week typified by Thomas Tuchel's side’s explosive Champions League encounters against Real Madrid, the biggest clash of the Blues’ season could take place in the boardroom.

Guber and Walton, who are worth a combined £4.07billion, have co-owned the Major League Baseball giants since 2012. But they will be lining up against each other very soon during the race for the keys to Stamford Bridge.

Reports from CBS understand the two American businessmen will be competing with each other as part of their respective consortiums. Walter joined Boehly’s consortium to purchase the club five days ago.

He is the CEO of investment firm Guggenheim Partners which has a net worth of a jaw dropping £261bn. Moreover, Walter is also believed to hold stakes in other major companies such as Beyond Meat and online car vendor Carvana.

His integration into Boehly’s consortium – one of the apparent frontrunners to purchase the club – could prove to be extremely significant in Boehly’s bid. The American investor has also partnered with Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss, who is estimated to be worth around £3.92bn.

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Meanwhile, Guber’s unification with Pagliuca’s consortium is one of the more fascinating aspects of this saga. As a fellow co-owner of the Dodgers, Guber has very close involvement with both Walter and Boehly.

Despite being more accustomed to dealing with the two American businessman from the same conference table, Guber will be competing alongside Boston Celtics and Atalanta owner Pagliuca, and NBA chairman Larry Tenanbaum.

Guber is worth approximately £691m, while Pagliuca and Tenanbaum’s combined net worth is believed to in the ballpark of around £3.46bn. Chelsea would be Guber’s fourth sporting venture he is currently involved in, holding stakes in NBA giants Golden State Warriors, MLS side Los Angeles FC, as well as the Dodgers.

• Chelsea FC
• Premier League
• Champions League

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