A consortium that includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is reportedly nearing a deal to acquire a significant stake in Liverpool Football Club. The group, led by Amit Bhatia, is understood to be close to finalising an agreement for approximately a one-third stake in the Anfield club.
Fenway Sports Group (FSG), who have been the controlling shareholder of Liverpool since 2010, is preparing to make an announcement regarding this transaction. Reports suggest an announcement could be made as early as this week, though some sources indicate it might extend into next week.
Details of the Investment Group
The consortium is spearheaded by Amit Bhatia, a British Indian entrepreneur with a background in investment banking. He is the son-in-law of steel billionaire Lakshmi Mittal. Until recently, Bhatia was a shareholder in Championship club Queens Park Rangers, having been a director and co-owner for 18 years before relinquishing his stake last month.
Alongside Jeff Bezos, the investment group also includes Eduardo Saverin, a co-founder of Facebook. Bezos, known for founding Amazon in 1994, is one of the world’s most prominent businessmen. His other investments include aerospace company Blue Origin and Nash Holdings, which owns The Washington Post.
Saverin, who is 44 years old, previously participated in a consortium that made an unsuccessful bid to take over Chelsea FC during the 2022 auction. This potential investment in Liverpool would mark his first major move into sports team ownership.
The deal, if completed, would see some of the world’s wealthiest individuals become co-owners of Liverpool. Jeff Bezos‘s fortune is estimated by Forbes at over £207bn ($280bn), while Eduardo Saverin is said to be worth over £23.7bn ($32bn).
Valuation and Previous Ownership
The investment is expected to value Liverpool Football Club at approximately £4.4bn ($6bn), which would make it one of the largest deals in the sport’s history. This valuation underscores the significant financial success FSG has achieved during its 16 years as the club’s owner.
FSG acquired Liverpool for £300m in 2010 when the club was reportedly in a challenging financial state. The last time a stake in Liverpool changed hands was in 2023, when Dynasty Equity purchased a minority interest, valuing the club at more than £3.3bn ($4.5bn).
The prospect of such a powerful consortium investing in the club has led to speculation that its members might eventually seek outright control of the Reds. A spokesperson for FSG confirmed last month that an investment consortium led by Amit Bhatia had “expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club.”
The involvement of individuals like Jeff Bezos in the Liverpool FC consortium highlights a broader trend where wealthy investors increasingly view sports as a valuable asset class. While Bezos has not been previously linked to football deals, his potential entry into the sport reflects this growing interest.
Sky Sports News has reached out to both Liverpool and FSG for comment regarding the potential deal. A spokesperson for the consortium led by Mr. Bhatia also declined to comment on the matter.
The deal is anticipated to be slightly larger than initially expected, potentially involving a stake exceeding 30 per cent. This development could further enhance Liverpool‘s financial standing, building on its already substantial turnover.
Amit Bhatia currently manages AyBe Capital, a multi-asset investment firm that invests in various sectors, including technology, media, property, real estate, consumer retail, and health. Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 out of his Seattle garage.
Source: skysports.com
