Todd Boehly’s group have reportedly already started speaking with important figures about redesigning Stamford Bridge ahead of possibly buying Chelsea.
According to the Evening Standard, Boehly has approached those who could help improve the stadium, something the Raine Group value highly as they continue to process each of the bids submitted.
Who is Boehly trying to bring into the team?
Property developer Jonathan Goldstein is already on board Boehly’s project.
The former project director for Roman Abramovich’s deceased renovation, David Hickey, has also been contacted, alongside architect Jane Marie Smith.
Smith holds a particularly high status within the design world, having worked on Oriole Park, Atlanta’s Olympic Stadium, the Boston Red Sox’s Fenway Park and the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Hickey himself owns a pretty decent CV, with the Emirates Stadium on his list of achievements, next to heading up the infrastructure for the 2012 Olympic Park arenas.
He knows the Bridge better than most, due to only retiring from the role of project director last December.
Abramovich cancelled plans to increase the capacity from 41,000 to 60,000 in 2018, after his UK investor visa was not renewed.
However, with the Russian now out of the way, the historical venue on Fulham Road can now be tinkered with.
Nothing has been decided
Combine all of the creative minds, and Boehly, 46, should be in good hands if he is let loose on Chelsea’s home ground.
That is still a big if, as the three other parties believe they too have every right to acquire Abramovich’s kingdom.
Sir Martin Broughton and Stephen Pagliuca are also in the running, but it is the Ricketts family who have particular expertise in this area of the field (pardon the pun).
They funded the rebuild of Wrigley Field, the stadium of the Chicago Cubs, which is in their possession.
How big a part could the Bridge play in choosing Chelsea’s new owner? All will hopefully become clear soon.
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