Lewis Hamilton, Serena Williams join Broughton consortium bid to buy Chelsea - source

Serena Williams and Lewis Hamilton have joined the bid to buy the club, a source told the news agency.

World athletics president Sebastian Coe and wealthy investors from around the world are part of a group that wants to maintain a top status in world football.

Private equity veterans Josh Harris and David Blitzer, who own sport teams including the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, are also supporting the bid.

Williams and Hamilton will each give 10 million dollars to the bid.

Representatives for both Williams and Broughton have been contacted.

Los Angeles Angel City FC, which will make its debut in the National Women's Soccer League later this month, is an investment by Williams.

The British government imposed sanctions on Roman Abramovich, the owner of the English soccer team, after the invasion of Ukraine, but final bids for the team were submitted earlier this month.

Todd Boehly is a part-owner of the Dodgers and Steve Pagliuca is a co-owner of the Celtics.

The group led by the Chicago Cubs owners pulled out of the running after being opposed by the trust.

The club is being sold by a U.S. bank.