Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has joined an investment group preparing to acquire a significant minority stake in Liverpool Football Club. The consortium, led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia and also including Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, is close to reaching an agreement for roughly one-third of the club. It is reported that the stake could exceed the initially discussed 30 percent. Fenway Sports Group (FSG) is said to be preparing to announce the transaction soon.
Liverpool’s Valuation Could Reach $6 Billion
The planned investment is expected to value the club at approximately $6 billion. A 30 percent stake would correspond to around $1.8 billion at this valuation. FSG acquired the club in 2010 for just £300 million. In 2023, when Dynasty Equity purchased a small stake, the club’s valuation was above $4.5 billion. According to Forbes, Bezos has a net worth of more than $280 billion, while Saverin’s fortune exceeds $32 billion.
It Could Be Bezos’s First Sports Club Investment
If the deal is completed, the transaction would mark the first sports club partnership for the founder of e-commerce giant Amazon. Bezos previously considered potential investments in American football teams the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders but did not pursue those opportunities. In July, FSG confirmed that the consortium led by Bhatia was interested in making a strategic minority investment. The parties have not made any additional statements regarding the timing of the latest talks. (Liverpool)
Fans Ask for Details of the Investment
Supporters’ group Spirit of Shankly asked the club’s management for clarification regarding the potential partnership. The group questioned what level of control and financial rights would be granted to the investors, whether the transaction could be the beginning of a broader sale, and what due diligence had been conducted on the potential investors. It also requested a meeting with the management, stating that the interests of the club and its supporters should be prioritized. (Liverpool)
U.S. Investors Show Growing Interest in British Sports
In recent years, U.S. capital has expanded its presence in British sports clubs. American investors are involved with Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Everton, while U.S.-based groups have also turned their attention to rugby, cricket and motorsports. Black Knight Sports and Entertainment’s takeover of Exeter Chiefs and Stonewood Capital Management’s investment in Cornish Pirates are among the latest examples of this trend.