Nick Candy wants to give football ‘back to the fans’ as race to buy Chelsea heats up
- The Ricketts family, who own Chicago Cubs, a consortium featuring Lord Coe and British property investor Nick Candy have all submitted offers to buy Chelsea
- ‘I believe Chelsea has all of the fundamentals to become the most valuable and respected sports club in the world,’ says Candy
Nick Candy has vowed to involve Chelsea fans if the British property tycoon succeeds in his bid to buy the troubled Premier League club.
Candy is believed to have submitted a bid of over US$2.6 billion for his boyhood team before yesterday’s deadline and he promised to give fans a ‘golden share’ ownership stake.
On a frantic day at Stamford Bridge, former Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton and World Athletics president Sebastian Coe also lodged a joint bid.
Chicago Cubs owners the Ricketts family followed suit, while LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly’s consortium also made a confirmed bid. There are reported to be several other firm bids on the table, but Candy is a front runner.
Candy issued a lengthy statement in confirming the submission of his bid, vowing to write off the loan to Chelsea Pitch Owners to safeguard the Blues’ future at Stamford Bridge.
The 49-year-old has promised a total renovation of the stadium, where his property expertise could come to the fore. Candy has teamed up with South Korean firms Hana Financial Group and C&P Sports Group in his Blue Football Consortium.
“Chelsea is one of the most iconic and successful professional football clubs in the world, with a rich heritage, global following, and a highly valuable brand,” Candy said.