New York Jets owner Robert "Woody" Johnson is preparing to make a bid to buy the Premier League's Chelsea FC, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday.
NY Jets owner Woody Johnson wants to be the next owner of Chelsea FC
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 7, 2022
(via @AdamSchefter) pic.twitter.com/zSdHpJqvvc
According to the report, Johnson's interest in buying the club stems from his extensive knowledge of the team from when he lived in London as a U.S. ambassador. There is also a connection between the two teams since the Jets recently gained the marketing rights to the NFL's UK International Home Marketing Areas program.
Chelsea's ownership is in flux with current owner Roman Abramovich announcing last week his plans to sell the team. Russian-born Abramovich has made headlines over the last couple of weeks as reports surfaced the U.K. government could seize assets from Russian natives and as rumors swirled he would be deported because of his alleged ties to Vladimir Putin.
Abramovich has denied any affiliation with Putin and is now reportedly in Belarus for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine at the request of the Ukrainian government.
Schefter reported via James Olley that Abramovich is asking for upwards to 3 billion pounds -- roughly $2.24 billion -- for the team. Abramovich said in a statement last week the money from the sale of the team will be donated to Ukrainian war victims.
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