Fictional TV series or real life? Chelsea FC, an English Premier League club in West London, is for sale, and American franchise owners are placing bids. Stefan Szymanski, U-M professor of sport management, suggests that the interest of American investors in English professional soccer is not new and provides a brief historical background on acquisition successes and failures. The faculty expert also discusses the risks of purchasing an English soccer club, including the promotion and relegation system and how successful clubs navigate this system.
