In what’s come to be one of the biggest surprises in the world of sports, seven-time Formula 1 world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton and tennis legend Serena Williams have both been confirmed as being part of a bid to buy Chelsea Football Club.
The legendary London team, which has consistently been one of the top players in both British and European football, is currently seeking a new buyer due to its owner Roman Abramovic being personally sanctioned as part of the economic sanctions against Russia.
Abramovic has been sanctioned over his close connections with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
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Hamilton and Williams have both joined the consortium headed by Sir Martin Broughton, putting forward £10 million (US$12.8 million) each of their own money.
Other backers of Sir Martin’s bid include Seb Coe, who headed up London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
The news about Hamilton and Willams’s commitment to the bid was broken on Thursday last week and Hamilton confirmed the news the following day in the press conference for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
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Lewis Hamilton speaks about Chelsea bid
“Ultimately, I’m a sporting fan,” Hamilton told the media at Imola.
“It’s the biggest sport in the world and Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world and one of the most successful.”
“When I heard about this opportunity I was like, ‘Wow’, this is one of the greatest opportunities to be a part of something.”
Although Hamilton is known to be a lifelong Arsenal fan, he’s willing to let sporting tribalism aside so he doesn’t pass up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of a sport he loves.
How Serena Williams ended up in Chelsea talks
As for how Williams, who is a close friend of Hamilton, got involved, the Formula 1 great said they were “constantly in touch” about the situation.
“We did speak about it – Serena and I are very, very close,” he explained.
“She’s a phenomenal athlete and woman.
“She asked me what my thoughts were on it and I told her that I’m going to be a part of it and she decided to join.”
Williams already has some experience of being involved with a football team, as she is already a part-owner of the Angel City club based in Los Angeles.
Other people involved with the ownership of Angel City include Eva Longoria and Natalie Portman.
Williams, along with her sister Venus, is also a minority owner of the Miami Dolphins in the NFL.
The Williams sisters’ investment in the Miami Dolphins in 2009 made them the first black owners of an NFL franchise.
So how does Chelsea feel about it?
The club itself seems to be very receptive to Hamilton and Williams coming on board.
Manager Thomas Tuchel has already told the media that he’s keen for the two sporting celebrities to be involved in his club.
“I just heard it, I just got a briefing and heard that they are part of it (Broughton’s bid),” he said to the press only a couple of days ago.
“I can tell you not more but I am a big admirer of both of them.”
As for what kind of role he expects them to play at the club, Tuchel is understandably keeping very tight-lipped about his expectations.
“I have absolutely no insight into the [takeover] proceedings or what role they play,” he said.
