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Chelsea potential ownership insight: The Ricketts family

By Kevin Peacock

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 17: Chicago Cubs Chairman and owner Tom Ricketts on the field before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers on April 17, 2017 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Brewers won 6-3. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 17: Chicago Cubs Chairman and owner Tom Ricketts on the field before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers on April 17, 2017 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Brewers won 6-3. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 12: Founder and CEO at Citadel LLC Kenneth C. Griffin participate in a discussion at the New York Times 2013 DealBook Conference in New York at the New York Times Building on November 12, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for The New York Times)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 12: Founder and CEO at Citadel LLC Kenneth C. Griffin participate in a discussion at the New York Times 2013 DealBook Conference in New York at the New York Times Building on November 12, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for The New York Times) /

Ken Griffin

It almost goes without saying that Griffin is heavily linked to the financial world. Born in Daytona Beach, Florida, a graduate of Havard, he formed the hedge-fund company Citadel LLC in 1990. Griffin is most certainly a financial man and he has a bank balance that proves that. However, it remains to be seen whether he will be as free and easy with his cash as Abramovich was during his two decades in west London. A quick scan of his Wiki profile shows a man generous with his money though with a high number of philanthropic donations.

Like the majority of the Ricketts family, he’s a Republican and he has not been shy in donating money in that direction either. His love of art has seen him gather a portfolio that would turn any gallery or museum green with envy, and don’t even mention property. Clearly, the man does not mind splashing his cash. That is promising from a football fan’s viewpoint, but it all comes back to understanding what it is to own a football club. If he can marry those two values, the Chelsea haters that cry over the money Abramovich invested and are delighted at his departure may face more tears if this bid is successful.

The Ricketts bid is controversial for many reasons, however, to someone perhaps not as informed or virtuous as he should be, is there any reason for the family not having a shot at owning Chelsea? If the authorities charged with overseeing the sale carry out the relevant due-diligence tests that are required, why not sanction it? Of course, it’s easier to virtue signal than rebel against the tide, but is it not possible for Tom, Todd and Laura to legitimately step away from comments and words attributed to others? Sadly, recent history tells me it’s not. We can all be accountable for past misdemeanours advocated by others, no matter the timescale.

The Ricketts may or may not become the owners of London’s finest, but one thing we know for sure is that Chelsea may not have history, but the Ricketts most certainly do.

dark. Next. Chelsea potential ownership insight: Todd Boehly’s consortium

What do you make of the Ricketts family? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

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