Bezos-Led Consortium Nears £1.35bn Stake in Liverpool
AI-generated image · US National Wire
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin join Amit Bhatia in a deal for 30% of the club, signaling a strategic pivot for the tech mogul into football equity.
A consortium including Amazon executive chair Jeff Bezos is nearing a deal to acquire a 30% stake in Liverpool, as The Guardian first reported. The investment, which follows months of negotiations with Fenway Sports Group (FSG), is valued in the region of £1.35bn.
The investor group is led by Amit Bhatia, son-in-law of Lakshmi Mittal and former Queens Park Rangers director. Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin is also a member of the group. While the deal is effectively agreed, The Guardian reports it may take up to a month to finalize. Deloitte has served as an advisor on the transaction, which will grant Bezos equity in the club.
This marks Bezos's first football investment, though The Guardian notes he has previously explored bidding for NFL franchises. The move aligns with Amazon's broader evolution into an entertainment provider; the company held UK rights for 20 Premier League games per season for six seasons until the end of last year and currently broadcasts NFL games in the US and the Champions League across various European markets.
FSG, which has owned Liverpool since 2010, previously sold a 3% stake to the private equity firm Dynasty Equity in 2023. The investment arrives during a period of transition at the club, as Andoni Iraola has replaced Arne Slot as head coach and Mohamed Salah has departed for Trabzonspor. Additionally, Michael Edwards has left his position as CEO of FSG.