Sources close to the bid being prepared by the Ricketts family and Ken Griffin to buy Chelsea claim they could be crucial to renovating Stamford Bridge.
According to Sky Sports, the consortium of the Chicago Cubs’ owners and Griffin would ‘make an ideal recipe for success’ in South West London.
What could the Ricketts family and Ken Griffin provide Chelsea?
It was reported earlier today that the Ricketts had joined forces with the billionaire hedge fund tycoon to submit a huge offer for the acquisition of Roman Abramovich’s kingdom.
The titanic team have until tomorrow to present their final proposal, one that will certainly rival the other financial packages on the table.
One part of their plan that might stand out to those overseeing the sale process is the Ricketts’ recent refurbishment of the Cubs’ own stadium, Wrigley Field.
This make-over of the historic arena, built in 1914, cost $1bn (Sky), close to the figure seemingly needed to redo Stamford Bridge.
Apparently, the update of Wrigley Field was the ‘largest privately financed stadium restoration project in US history’, claimed a source close to the Cubs’ owners.
Stamford Bridge needs a lick of paint
Chelsea’s ground was promised a similar project by Abramovich in 2015, but he scrapped the idea three years later after his UK investor visa expired.
Restructuring the home of the European champions will not be quick or easy, but the rewards could well outweigh the risk.
Currently, all of the supposed ‘big Premier League six’ outrank the Blues in terms of capacity-size, even if their trophy cabinet isn’t as full.
Adding more seats to the Bridge should therefore increase ticket sales and profit; it’s all about the money.
Something the Ricketts-Griffin consortium are not short on.
Griffin has an estimated wealth of $26.5b (Sky), having founded the hedge fund and financial service company, Citadel.
His finances, plus the Ricketts’ sporting knowledge, might well make the perfect blend to take over Chelsea.
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