Liverpool’s ownership group, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), has agreed to sell approximately one-third of the club to 1892 Holdings, an investment consortium that includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. FSG announced that it had signed a definitive agreement for what it described as a strategic minority investment.
The consortium is led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia and also includes Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin. Subject to regulatory approval, Bhatia will become Liverpool’s vice-chairman and join the club’s expanded board.
Bhatia, who is the son-in-law of Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, recently ended his 18-year involvement as a director and co-owner of Queens Park Rangers after selling his stake in the club.
Jeff Bezos, whose estimated wealth stands at around $256 billion (£192 billion), is making his first move into sports ownership through this investment. While he will not take a seat on Liverpool’s board, Bryan Baum, founder of K5 Sports (the investment vehicle through which Bezos is participating), will join the board alongside Elaine Saverin, the wife of Eduardo Saverin. Bezos is K5 Sports’ largest investor.
According to sources, the transaction will not affect Liverpool’s transfer strategy or create an additional transfer budget. However, the agreement gives the consortium the option to increase its stake in the future, potentially positioning it to become the club’s majority shareholder if FSG decides to sell further shares. No such commitment has been made at this stage.
The deal reportedly values Liverpool Football Club at between £5 billion and £6 billion.
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