Chelsea Football Club is undergoing another significant transformation in their post-Roman Abramovich era as commercial director Casper Stylsvig becomes the latest high-profile departure from Stamford Bridge.
The Danish executive, who played a pivotal role in securing major sponsorship deals including the controversial £40m-a-year agreement with betting firm Stake.com, has left the club after four years of service. His exit marks another chapter in the sweeping changes implemented by the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium since their 2022 takeover.
New Leadership Takes Charge
Stylsvig's responsibilities are now being assumed by new chief executive of media and digital Maheta Molango, who joined Chelsea from his previous role as CEO of the Professional Footballers' Association. This strategic move signals the owners' intent to consolidate commercial and media operations under unified leadership.
The restructuring comes during a period of intense transition for the West London club, both on and off the pitch. With significant investment in player acquisitions and now a reshaped executive team, the new ownership is clearly stamping their authority on the club's operations.
Sponsorship Strategy Under Scrutiny
During his tenure, Stylsvig navigated the challenging task of replacing several major sponsorships, most notably the £40m-a-year deal with front-of-shirt sponsor Three that expired last summer. His replacement with Stake.com drew criticism from some quarters due to concerns about gambling sponsorship in football.
The commercial department now faces the ongoing challenge of maximising revenue streams while maintaining the club's global brand appeal during a period of unprecedented spending and transformation.
Continuing the Overhaul
Stylsvig's departure follows other significant exits including technical and performance advisor Petr Cech and chairman Bruce Buck, indicating a comprehensive clear-out of the previous regime's leadership structure.
As Chelsea continue their rebuild under sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, the commercial operations now represent another area where the new ownership is implementing their vision for the club's future direction.
