17 Aug 2026 18:15:05
So, it looks like two minority shareholders including TB are selling up to Clearlake. It's probably been coming for a while and I certainly have no view on it being a good or bad thing.
The interesting thing for me, will be how the share sale values CFC.
17 Aug 2026 19:26:07
Tom, apparently, talks are going on. Nothing is settled. The other minority shareholder Walters is under investigation in the USA for some dodgy business. If it happens, I am not really sure what it will mean for us going forward.
17 Aug 2026 19:46:48
A bit like the Liverpool shareholder sale, I can't see it making any difference.
As I say, I'm more interested in the share and club value/valuation. I am guessing that both minority shareholders will walk away with a very nice profit on their investments.
17 Aug 2026 19:59:48
Tom, you are probably right. As discussed previously, the ownership models in the Premier League generally become more disassociated from the supporters. All we can hope for is good football and trophies.
17 Aug 2026 20:19:14
I think it is reasonable to see the Premiership and its teams as a "global brand" that has the potential to gain larger global revenues with its massive audience.
I would suggest that the supposed valuations for all the top Premiership teams are substantially undervalued and a very attractive investment for "funds".
17 Aug 2026 21:39:04
Tom, I mean you would hope they walk away with a profit, considering they bought the club in a hostile forced sale and with massive uncertainty facing the club... I wouldn't read much into that... Feel for Boehly, he seems to be tied to Walter in sporting ventures and Walter has been a very naughty boy allegedly.
Don't think it will change much, as I have felt Clearlake have been calling the shots for a while now.
17 Aug 2026 21:53:13
This is just me. I think the valuation of CFC may well determine any future ownership. I am obviously aware that the current shareholders have restrictive third party sales agreements, and I certainly can't give any hard evidence to substantiate my view, but I just feel Clearlake will move on. This
is just me guessing.
18 Aug 2026 08:23:39
Tom
I tend to agree with Clearlake moving on in a minimum of 6 years' time.
If Bohely and Walters sell up, what it does do is stop in-house fighting, and maybe, just maybe, there will be a clear vision for the SB project.
18 Aug 2026 08:47:58
Bill, I like the idea of a board having different opinions. The idea of Clearlake having potentially 87.5% of the shares does not bother me now, but I would personally prefer a diverse board of directors, maybe with different skill sets.
As I understood the original deal, the shareholders can only sell to existing shareholders. That would appear to be ok if Clearlake or the other shareholder want to buy the shares, but, as things stand, shares cannot be sold to interested investors who are currently outside the closed group.
If that makes sense.
I have never seen the restrictive covenants about when shares can be sold to outside investors, but I personally believe that Clearlake will find a way around that restriction. I repeat, this is just me guessing.