At the recent Qatar Economic Forum, Todd Boehly, co-owner of Chelsea, expressed optimism about the future prospects of the club’s women’s team. He firmly believes that it will be a highly valuable asset in the years ahead. Despite the absence of immediate returns from their investment, Boehly and Clearlake Capital remain steadfast in their long-term plans for the club.
Amidst Chelsea’s recent challenges, including substantial spending on transfers, changes in management, and exclusion from the Champions League, Mauricio Pochettino became the most recent casualty as the club’s manager. Despite these setbacks, Boehly and Clearlake are unwavering in their vision for a revitalised Stamford Bridge and the expansion of the club’s brand in the United States, particularly with the increasing interest in soccer leading up to the 2026 World Cup.
When examining the landscape of women’s football in the US, there is a growing acknowledgment of the potential for investment in professional women’s sports. Teams in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) have observed substantial increases in valuations, with team sales reaching up to $113 million. Chelsea has also attracted interest in investing in their women’s team, which has been valued at £150 million, prompting consideration of selling a portion of the equity to fund infrastructure investment.
Boehly expressed his confidence in the increasing value of Chelsea’s women’s team at the recent Qatar Economic Forum, emphasizing its potential to be worth “hundreds of millions of dollars”. With recent successes in the Women’s Super League and the UEFA Women’s Champions League, sponsors are beginning to take notice of the team’s potential, acknowledging the value in aligning their brand with the growing success of women’s football.
The future does indeed appear promising for Chelsea’s women’s team, with significant potential for growth and development in the years to come.