Reports in America suggest that Chelsea co-owners Clearlake Capital - founded by Jose Feliciano and Behdad Eghbali - are looking to become minority shareholders in NFL side Los Angeles Chargers.
Clearlake joined with Todd Boehly and others to purchase the Blues from Roman Abramovich in May last year for a world record fee for a football club and have shown their ambitions within the wider sporting landscape already. Although it is Boehly, who part-owns MLB franchise LA Dodgers, that is more adept in sports currently, Eghbali and Feliciano have spoken of their goals previously.
Now, despite having plenty still to look after and sort at Stamford Bridge, they are looking into a potential new venure with Chargers co-owner Dea Spanos Berberian reportedly willing to part with 24% of the AFC West side.
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Bloomberg write that no comment was made from Eghbali and Feliciano but that insiders close to the situation believe an attempt was made to invest in the American football side.
The Chargers have been owned by the Spanos family since 1984, when they were purchased by a mere $72m. The latest estimates indicate that the franchise are worth around $3.87bn, putting it in a similar ballpark to Chelsea, who went for £4.25bn last summer.
The market for NFL sides is a lucrative one too with Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke - under Kroenke Sports and Entertainment - having recent success with LA Rams. It's not the first time that Eghbali and Feliciano have made a move here either.
It was reported last year that the pair tried to invest in 40% of Denver Broncos and there has also been speculation about a move for the Washington Commanders. When an opportunity does arise it is important to act quickly though with seriously backed financial interest coming from Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, as well as Josh Harris.
The value of the Broncos has rocketed since 1999, when the were bought for $800m, being sold to Rob Walton for $4.65bn.
Clearlake have also more recently looked to continue expanding their portfolio, having an offer for software company, Blackbaurd, rejected.
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