The Chelsea sale is reportedly led by two groups fronted by US billionaires with ties to the Dodgers and 76ers

• Two groups led by US billionaires are frontrunners to buy Chelsea FC, according to the Financial Times.
• One group is led by Todd Boehly, who is part of the Dodgers ownership group, while another is led by David Blitzer and Josh Harris, owners of the NBA's 76ers and the NHL's Devils.

Two groups, each led by US billionaires, are considered to be frontrunners to buy English football club Chelsea FC, according to the Financial Times.

One investor group is led by Todd Boehly, who is part of the Los Angeles Dodgers ownership group, while the other is led by Josh Harris and David Blitzer, two private equity billionaires who own the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, and several other soccer clubs through Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE).

Representatives for Boehly's company, Eldridge, and HBSE did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

The West London club was put up for sale by billionaire Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich just days before he was hit with sanctions from the UK government for his ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin. While all of Abramovich's UK assets were frozen, the government allowed Chelsea to continue operating under a special license and with restrictions.

The sale is being overseen by US investment bank the Raine Group, and it is expected the club will be sold for more than $3 billion.

The sale of a marquee property in the richest domestic soccer league in the world garnered massive interest. It was believed that as many as 200 parties expressed interest in buying the club, but ultimately around a dozen serious bids were submitted last week, several sources reported. Among the notable bidders that were reportedly told they are out of the running are the Saudi Media Group and the Ricketts family, owners of the Chicago Cubs.

According to the Financial Times, the bids are being assessed by a "complicated set of criteria," including funding for the club's stadium and how much money will go to charity. The UK government has reportedly mandated that Abramovich cannot benefit from the sale, with the proceeds going to charity. It is unclear how involved Abramovich will be in the sale process or even who will be the final arbiter in choosing the next owner.

Chelsea is the reigning Champions League winner and world club champion.