Roman Abramovich to sell Chelsea Football (soccer) Club

[Tank]

I don't watch football / soccer but I do follow Roman Abromovich a bit as he owns a few of the baddest yachts ever built including my personal favorite "Eclipse".

Roman Abramovich Megayachts Collection

Russian Oligarch Roman Abramovich is arguably the world greatest spender on yachts having spent over $1.5 Billion on purchase and maintenance of over five mega yachts in the last ten years. The Chelse

www.therichest.com

Kind've a respectful move on his part. Giving the proceeds of the sale to a charity for Ukrainian war victims??? Damn.

MSN

• The Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich announced he was selling Chelsea FC.
• The UK government has levied sanctions on businesses and oligarchs with ties to Vladimir Putin.
• Abramovich is seeking $2.5 billion for the club, The New York Times reported.

The Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich announced on Wednesday that he was selling the English Premier League team Chelsea FC.




"As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club's best interest at heart," he said in a statement. "In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the Club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club's sponsors and partners."

He added: "Moreover, I have instructed my team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine."

Abramovich's announcement came in the wake of sweeping sanctions from the West targeting Russian oligarchs after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine last week.

The announcement from one of England's top clubs rocked the football world. Abramovich has owned the team since 2003, when he bought the club for about $190 million. According to The New York Times, Abramovich is said to be looking to sell the club for $2.5 billion.

Since Abramovich's purchase of the club, Chelsea has won the Premier League five times, most recently in 2017. The Blues have also won five FA Cups and two Champions League titles since 2003.

According to Sportico, Raine Group, an investment bank that has worked with Abramovich in the past, is helping to coordinate the sale. Raine Group recently helped with the sale of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves.

Chelsea is in third in the English Premier League table, trailing only Manchester City and Liverpool.

 

[SJP]

A kind gesture.

 

[Singleton]

Will he give the apx 1.5B in loans he is due from the club when it sells to charity as well.

Update after I read espn article. The 1.5B in loans will be donated to charity

 

[pixrthis]

I don’t know anything about the guy besides what I’ve read here but he seems to be a good guy.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Guy is a Russian oligarch trying to wash the Putin off his hands.

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

Germany just seized another oligarch’s mega yacht. These guys are trying to dump assets as fast as possible before they are confiscated.

I may be dense, but what right do these countries have to go after these assets? Say the U.S. invades a country and everyone hates it. What makes it OK for Germany to go after Tank’s Cig, or any U.S. citizen that has nothing to do with the invasion?

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Germany just seized another oligarch’s mega yacht. These guys are trying to dump assets as fast as possible before they are confiscated.

I may be dense, but what right do these countries have to go after these assets? Say the U.S. invades a country and everyone hates it. What makes it OK for Germany to go after Tank’s Cig, or any U.S. citizen that has nothing to do with the invasion?

Couple things -

Tank is not an oligarch. No one is coming after his boat.

These oligarchs control over 30% of Russia's economy. Supposedly they have they have so much money in assets it is about equal to the money the rest of the Russian population has.

These guys are friends of Putin that were basically gifted industries. These aren't just people, they are people with influence and compliance in the Russian government.

They want to hit everyone around Putin where it hurts to get him to stop. This is what happens.

 

[JDKRXW]

The trouble Roman has is that the only other guys who can afford the $2.5B asking price are other Russian oligarchs.

 

[Canuck 1]

Couple things -

Tank is not an oligarch. No one is coming after his boat.

These oligarchs control over 30% of Russia's economy. Supposedly they have they have so much money in assets it is about equal to the money the rest of the Russian population has.

These guys are friends of Putin that were basically gifted industries. These aren't just people, they are people with influence and compliance in the Russian government.

They want to hit everyone around Putin where it hurts to get him to stop. This is what happens.

So that makes it OK to steal their property? Are you a commie or does rule of law ring a bell in your thick skull. Guilty by accusation......Heil

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

So that makes it OK to steal their property? Are you a commie or does rule of law ring a bell in your thick skull. Guilty by accusation......Heil

That's cute, you thought the world was fair and just. I don't recall there being too many rules when you are in a war. Hell you aren't even in a war up there in Canuckistan and your government locked down your banking systems a few weeks ago

 

[Canuck 1]

That's cute, you thought the world was fair and just. I don't recall there being too many rules when you are in a war. Hell you aren't even in a war up there in Canuckistan and your government locked down your banking systems a few weeks ago

So the mob rules? Fuck law and order?

We will see how the court rules over seized accounts

When did you become a lib?

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

So the mob rules? Fuck law and order?

We will see how the court rules over seized accounts

When did you become a lib?

It is war Francis. The courts aren't gonna do a god damn thing.

Remember what they did to the drug cartel leaders? I didn't see Pablo Escobar or El Chapo getting their assets back from the courts

 

[Canuck 1]

It is war Francis. The courts aren't gonna do a god damn thing.

Remember what they did to the drug cartel leaders? I didn't see Pablo Escobar or El Chapo getting their assets back from the courts

Who is at war? have not heard of anyone declaring war yet

I was referring to the canadian courts and the illegal seizure of accounts

El Chapo and Escobar were convicted were they not?

Germany is at war? Abramovich has been tried? convicted? or just guilty by accusation?

Since none of us has believed the media or any lib for years why would we believe them now?

The mob rules....fuck the rule of law

 

[HNL2LHC]

These guys are friends of Putin that were basically gifted industries. These aren't just people, they are people with influence and compliance in the Russian government.

They want to hit everyone around Putin where it hurts to get him to stop. This is what happens.

So they are like Hunter and Biden are to Ukraine. GOTCHA!!!

 

[rivrrts429]

Germany just seized another oligarch’s mega yacht. These guys are trying to dump assets as fast as possible before they are confiscated.

I may be dense, but what right do these countries have to go after these assets? Say the U.S. invades a country and everyone hates it. What makes it OK for Germany to go after Tank’s Cig, or any U.S. citizen that has nothing to do with the invasion?

Think of Putin as head of the Mafia and the Russian Oligarchs are the various mob family bosses.

Governments ceasing Russian Oligarch assets is no different than the RICO Act we utilize today.

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

Couple things -

Tank is not an oligarch. No one is coming after his boat.

These oligarchs control over 30% of Russia's economy. Supposedly they have they have so much money in assets it is about equal to the money the rest of the Russian population has.

These guys are friends of Putin that were basically gifted industries. These aren't just people, they are people with influence and compliance in the Russian government.

They want to hit everyone around Putin where it hurts to get him to stop. This is what happens.

I’m using Tank because he started this thread, but imagine any billionaire. Say Elon Musk was a friend of Trump and Trump decided to invade a country. Germany is able to take Elon’s stuff? Just because he’s rich, and associates himself with the president he’s responsible for the government's actions? No trial? No evidence that he did anything wrong?

 

[sirbob]

Roman, Roman, Roman...

How chivalrous.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I’m using Tank because he started this thread, but imagine any billionaire. Say Elon Musk was a friend of Trump and Trump decided to invade a country. Germany is able to take Elon’s stuff? Just because he’s rich, and associates himself with the president he’s responsible for the government's actions? No trial? No evidence that he did anything wrong?

It’s a war, there are no real rules. You have it backwards. They are doing this to the oligarchs so they too put pressure on Putin. Notice they have done noting to Putin himself... why do you think that is?

The world is going to do whatever it can to put pressure on Putin to back off as quickly as possible. You also have to understand what an oligarch is. Musk is not an oligarch. Taking Musks stuff has 0 effect on Biden.

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

It’s a war, there are no real rules. You have it backwards. They are doing this to the oligarchs so they too put pressure on Putin. Notice they have done noting to Putin himself... why do you think that is?

The world is going to do whatever it can to put pressure on Putin to back off as quickly as possible. You also have to understand what an oligarch is. Musk is not an oligarch. Taking Musks stuff has 0 effect on Biden.

I don’t remember Germany, the U.S, UK, etc. declaring war, and I’m aware why they are doing it, but I still think it’s bullshit to punish rich individuals because they have influence and power. Sounds a lot like the commies in America pouting and protesting over the 1% to me.

Are they Oligarchs because we say so? What if the Russians on the other side said Musk, Gates, and Buffett were oligarchs? Does that make it so? I’m going to guess the richest people on the planet have plenty of political influence.

 

[Singleton]

I don’t remember Germany, the U.S, UK, etc. declaring war, and I’m aware why they are doing it, but I still think it’s bullshit to punish rich individuals because they have influence and power. Sounds a lot like the commies in America pouting and protesting over the 1% to me.

Are they Oligarchs because we say so? What if the Russians on the other side said Musk, Gates, and Buffett were oligarchs? Does that make it so? I’m going to guess the richest people on the planet have plenty of political influence.

Oligarchs are extensions of the Russian government. NATO nations have the ability to leverage these mechanisms to stop actions. Russia could do the same to rich USA folks if they have assets in Russia. The US can only do this for assets in the US, just like Germany did within its border.

 

[Jimmyv]

Guy is a Russian oligarch trying to wash the Putin off his hands.

Anyone familiar with the term Sportswashing?

Sportswashing - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Sportswashing is the practice of an individual, group, corporation, or nation-state using sport to improve their tarnished reputation, through hosting a sporting event, the purchase or sponsorship of sporting teams, or by participation in the sport itself. At nation-state level, sportswashing has been used to direct attention away from a poor human rights record and corruption scandals within government. While at the individual or corporate level sportswashing is used to cover up and direct attention away from said person's or company's vices, crimes, or scandals. Sportswashing has been called a form of whitewashing.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I don’t remember Germany, the U.S, UK, etc. declaring war, and I’m aware why they are doing it, but I still think it’s bullshit to punish rich individuals because they have influence and power. Sounds a lot like the commies in America pouting and protesting over the 1% to me.

Are they Oligarchs because we say so? What if the Russians on the other side said Musk, Gates, and Buffett were oligarchs? Does that make it so? I’m going to guess the richest people on the planet have plenty of political influence.

The world isn’t fair. Sorry it just isn’t. Regardless of declarations of war.. it’s a war, this is all fair game in the name of peace. What if these people were involved in having their competition or opposition killed? We don’t know anything about them one way or another.
What you are advocating for is an end to NATO and by extension majority rule on the world stage.

I’m not gonna cry for people that had some toys taken away that have more money hidden in bank accounts or a mattress than this entire forum will make in their lifetime.

If Elon Musk lost half his net worth tomorrow, His life would still be entirely the same. It is the same for these guys, they have plenty of money hidden.

Again, these people are oligarchs with ties to the Russian government.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Anyone familiar with the term Sportswashing?

Sportswashing - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Sportswashing is the practice of an individual, group, corporation, or nation-state using sport to improve their tarnished reputation, through hosting a sporting event, the purchase or sponsorship of sporting teams, or by participation in the sport itself. At nation-state level, sportswashing has been used to direct attention away from a poor human rights record and corruption scandals within government. While at the individual or corporate level sportswashing is used to cover up and direct attention away from said person's or company's vices, crimes, or scandals. Sportswashing has been called a form of whitewashing.

Lol Olympics in Russia and China.

As far as the Oligarchs and sports washing, it is the same thing as members of cartels operating legitimate businesses.

 

[rivrrts429]

I’m using Tank because he started this thread, but imagine any billionaire. Say Elon Musk was a friend of Trump and Trump decided to invade a country. Germany is able to take Elon’s stuff? Just because he’s rich, and associates himself with the president he’s responsible for the government's actions? No trial? No evidence that he did anything wrong?

It’s a crime syndicate. The Oligarch’s money flows directly to Putin. It’s really not that difficult to understand. The Oligarch’s money is Putin’s money and they do his money laundering.

Unless we’re arguing for the sake of arguing it isn’t that complicated. If Putin points them in a direction they adjust their behavior to accomplish the result he’s seeking.

Oligarchs = Putin
Putin = Oligarchs

 

[Jimmyv]

Lol Olympics in Russia and China.

As far as the Oligarchs and sports washing, it is the same thing as members of cartels operating legitimate businesses.

This years Olympics in China are a perfect example.

Unfortunately so is Phil Mickelson sponsorship with the Saudi Golf League

 

[JDKRXW]

. Notice they have done noting to Putin himself... why do you think that is?

It's because Putin's name is on next to nothing.
Look it up, he owns an appartment in Moscow, a couple of fancy Lada cars and a tent trailer (seriously).

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

It's because Putin's name is on next to nothing.
Look it up, he owns an appartment in Moscow, a couple of fancy Lada cars and a tent trailer (seriously).

I know, but they also aren’t restricting his movements or actions. They haven’t announced anything against him personally.

 

[spectras only]

I still say it, don't push rats in a corner. If the West decide to seize everything Putin and his cronies have, they'll have nothing to loose!
The West hasn't declared WWIII yet, so the leaders of the 'free world' may regret they gone too far. I guess we're going to find out sooner or later.
Remember, despite the fact Ukranians and Russians are not the best friends since Stalin's treatment of them but, very similar in their demeaner, can be nasty fucks. They had no problem mowing down my old country in 1956. People have short memories or never studied European history.
I'm too old school. don't trust ANY government.

 

[Orange Juice]

So that makes it OK to steal their property? Are you a commie or does rule of law ring a bell in your thick skull. Guilty by accusation......Heil

“I fought the law and the law won.”

 

[Canuck 1]

So lets make a comparison to a similar action taken a few years ago.

Would it have been OK for the world to take all Americans world wide assets for the invasion of Panama? It after all was a war ...... wasn't it?

Strange how the totalitarianism seems to run amuck right now and innocent until proven guilty is far from some peoples minds

The masters would be proud of all the serfs stealing others property on a lie. The propaganda has done its job

Heil

 

[spectras only]

When is Biden sanction Russian oil import? The US imported an average of 209,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil and 500,000 bpd of other petroleum products from Russia,

 

[Bear Down]

So lets make a comparison to a similar action taken a few years ago.

Would it have been OK for the world to take all Americans world wide assets for the invasion of Panama? It after all was a war ...... wasn't it?

Strange how the totalitarianism seems to run amuck right now and innocent until proven guilty is far from some peoples minds

The masters would be proud of all the serfs stealing others property on a lie. The propaganda has done its job

Heil

if i remember correctly, the Panama invasion was to take out a corrupt Noriega for crimes against USA, not to overthrow a sovereign government and overtake a country. I don't think we killed Civilans during the invasion...or intentionally did like Putin is doing... I was 15 back then.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I still say it, don't push rats in a corner. If the West decide to seize everything Putin and his cronies have, they'll have nothing to loose!
The West hasn't declared WWIII yet, so the leaders of the 'free world' may regret they gone too far. I guess we're going to find out sooner or later.
Remember, despite the fact Ukranians and Russians are not the best friends since Stalin's treatment of them but, very similar in their demeaner, can be nasty fucks. They had no problem mowing down my old country in 1956. People have short memories or never studied European history.
I'm too old school. don't trust ANY government.

Well said.

 

[Tank]

On the face of it, watching countries seize "private peoples assets" seems extremely foreign and strange. And it is. But as I said on the other thread related to this subject. There's no debating these guys are "oligarchs". It's well known and well documented. They enriched themselves via state / country owned companies after the fall of Russia and are STILL part of the inner circle of Russia politics. nothing wrong with that except when essentially your business partner decides to invade a country.

It's not the same thing as seizing Bill Gates riches. He was a SELF MADE billionaire through a private company not associated with the US Govt.

Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich (Russian: Роман Аркадьевич Абрамович, pronounced [rɐˈman ɐrˈkadʲjɪvʲɪtɕ ɐbrɐˈmovʲɪtɕ]; Hebrew: רומן אברמוביץ׳; born 24 October 1966)[2] is a Russian oligarch, billionaire, businessman, and politician.

Abramovich enriched himself in the years following the collapse of the Soviet Union, obtaining Russian state-owned assets at prices far below market value in Russia's controversial loans-for-shares privatization program. Abramovich was a confidant of former Russian president Boris Yeltsin and current Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Abramovich is the primary owner of the private investment company Millhouse LLC, and is best known outside Russia as the owner of Chelsea, a Premier League football club.[3] He was formerly Governor of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug from 2000 to 2008. According to Forbes, Abramovich's net worth was US$12.9 billion in 2019,[4] making him the second-richest person in Israel, the eleventh-richest in Russia and the richest person in Portugal.[5][6]

 

[Singleton]

These seizure actions would be similar to a country seizing POTUS Cabinet member assets in their country. The US has not seized any Russian assets in the US yet, other countries are doing this and only those assets within their borders.

 

[spectras only]

What most people can't see is, these 21st century leaders doing now, they're willing to risk world's stability over real estate of Ukraine.
Our leader Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland [ a Ukranian ] shown the 'free' world, what they're capable of. seizing assets and threatening prison time
Like Putin and his oligarchs or not, Russia was in shambles when the CCCP crumbled by the decades of economic pressures from the West, No food only bread on their store shelves for long time, but every day lives slowly improved by the government's and oligarch business flourishing, with Russia's oil and gas. Napoleon and Hitler tried expansion towards Russia in the past, see what it got Europe in with that. Poke the bear and see what it will entail. Sending oil and gas to Europe is not going to happen if Russia turns off the tap, Europe is fucked.
I knew this day will come when I escaped from Hungary, hence chose to go as far as the other side of the Atlantic. However, if the Russians are crazy enough and say fuck it, lets blow the fuse, it won't matter anymore what side of the Atlantic I reside.
Again, knowing Ukraine's and Russia's history, division in the Ukraine/Russian population, there won't be peace between them for a long time to come, not worth risking nuclear war over it. This is not the same situation as promoting wars in the Middle East.