Todd Boehly’s Involvement in Ticket Reselling Sparks Investigation by CST | OneFootball

Chelsea’s Todd Boehly Faces Investigation Over Alleged Involvement in Ticket Reselling

Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) has formally called for an investigation into co-owner Todd Boehly’s connection with the controversial ticket reselling website Vivid Seats. The group has expressed their concerns that Boehly’s dual role as an investor and director of Vivid Seats, while also holding a 13% stake in Chelsea, represents a conflict of interest and breaches the trust of supporters.

Concerns Raised Over Conflict of Interest

In an open letter to Richard Masters, Chief Executive of the Premier League, the CST highlighted a longstanding issue with Boehly’s involvement in Vivid Seats. The website has been flagged as an “unauthorised ticketing website” by the Premier League, yet it still allows overseas fans to purchase tickets unofficially for Chelsea matches, ranging from £90 to £20,000. This practice is deeply troubling for many supporters, who believe it undermines efforts to combat ticket touting both within the Premier League and at Chelsea FC.

Photo: IMAGO

The letter from CST reiterates that Boehly’s role in Vivid Seats, alongside his ownership of a significant stake in Chelsea, is wholly inappropriate. It states, “As a director of Chelsea FC and part-owner, Mr Boehly’s connection with Vivid Seats is totally inappropriate and significantly undermines the efforts of Chelsea FC, the Premier League, and the Metropolitan Police to combat ticket touting.” The CST is not only calling for an official investigation by the Premier League but has also submitted evidence to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to ensure this matter is addressed at a governmental level.

Vivid Seats’ Operations and Premier League Rules

Vivid Seats is legally permitted to operate internationally but is restricted from selling tickets to UK-based fans. However, investigations from BBC Sport have confirmed that UK users are still able to purchase tickets through the site, despite a disclaimer warning them that “tickets for the EPL matches are not currently available for purchase in your location.” This raises questions about how Vivid Seats continues to bypass Premier League rules, particularly given that Chelsea’s official website explicitly states that “ticket touting is illegal” and any tickets purchased unofficially will be deemed “invalid”, with fans being denied entry to the stadium.

The controversy has escalated as fans have grown increasingly frustrated by Boehly’s failure to address the situation. CST’s letter notes that despite multiple attempts to contact him directly, neither Boehly nor his representatives have responded to the supporters’ concerns. “Thousands of tickets remain for sale on the Vivid Seats website,” the letter continues, further fueling anger among the Chelsea fanbase.

Photo IMAGO

Club’s Efforts to Tackle Ticket Touting

While the CST continues to push for action, Chelsea has pledged to combat ticket touting. The club has sent out communications to season ticket holders, outlining new measures that will be put in place to tackle the issue. However, these efforts have yet to specifically address the involvement of Vivid Seats or other ticket reselling platforms, leaving many fans questioning the effectiveness of the club’s actions.

Chelsea’s efforts to improve the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge have also been called into question, with previous manager Mauricio Pochettino noting a “flat” atmosphere, and current head coach Enzo Maresca echoing similar concerns this season. In an attempt to invigorate the fan experience, Chelsea has announced the introduction of a new singing section, set to debut during the upcoming Europa Conference League match against Legia Warsaw. While this initiative may boost support, it will take more than new seating arrangements to resolve the broader issues of ticket reselling and fan disenfranchisement.