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Former Chelsea Chairman Ken Bates Dies at 94

7/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Former Chelsea chairman Ken Bates died peacefully in Monaco on Saturday at age 94.
Chelsea sent condolences to wife Suzannah, family and friends and praised his determination.
Oldham Athletic expressed sadness and offered condolences to Bates’s family.
Chelsea earned promotion, two FA Cups, a League Cup, a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and a UEFA Super Cup before selling the club to businessman Roman Abramovich for £140 million in 2003.

History

Historical Context

After the FA’s 27 May 1992 decision to break away from the Football League, the new Premier League secured a five-year £304 million TV deal with BSkyB, owned by Rupert Murdoch. The broadcast cash let clubs such as Manchester United boost revenues, paving the way for billionaire takeovers like Ken Bates’s 2003 £140 million sale of Chelsea to Roman Abramovich.

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Story summary

Former Chelsea chairman Ken Bates died peacefully in Monaco on Saturday at age 94.
Chelsea sent condolences to wife Suzannah, family and friends and praised his determination.
Oldham Athletic expressed sadness and offered condolences to Bates’s family.
Chelsea earned promotion, two FA Cups, a League Cup, a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and a UEFA Super Cup before selling the club to businessman Roman Abramovich for £140 million in 2003.

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