Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is closing in on a deal to acquire a minority stake in Liverpool Football Club, with an announcement potentially coming this week. The consortium, led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia, also includes Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin. The group is expected to purchase just over 30% of the club, a figure higher than earlier expectations.
Consortium details and valuation
According to Sky News, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), Liverpool's majority owner, is preparing to announce the consortium's investment. The deal values the Reds at approximately $6 billion, a figure comparable to the NBA's Boston Celtics and the NFL's Miami Dolphins. This valuation underscores Liverpool's status as one of the most valuable football clubs globally.
The consortium's investment marks Bezos's first foray into football ownership. Saverin, known for his early investment in Facebook, previously attempted a takeover of Chelsea FC, which did not materialize. Bhatia, a 46-year-old entrepreneur with an investment banking background, manages AyBe Capital, a multi-asset firm focusing on technology, media, property, and health sectors.
Financial profiles of the investors
Forbes estimates Bezos's personal fortune at around $281 billion (£209 billion), making him the third-richest person globally, behind Elon Musk and Larry Page. While Bhatia's net worth is not publicly disclosed, his father-in-law, steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, is worth an estimated £23.2 billion, ranking 72nd on Forbes' billionaires list.
The investment is seen as a potential catalyst for Liverpool to reclaim dominance in English and European football. The club, which has struggled in recent seasons, could benefit from the financial resources and strategic expertise of its new stakeholders.
Background and implications
Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 from his Seattle garage, growing it into a global e-commerce giant. His other ventures include aerospace company Blue Origin and Nash Holdings, which owns The Washington Post. This diversification into football aligns with his broader investment strategy.
The deal, once finalized, would make Bezos, Saverin, and Bhatia co-owners of one of England's most storied clubs. FSG's decision to bring in new investors could provide Liverpool with the financial muscle needed to compete at the highest levels, both domestically and in Europe.
As the football world watches, the announcement is expected to reshape the club's ownership structure, potentially signaling a new era of investment and ambition at Anfield.
