Liverpool agree minority stake sale to Bezos-backed consortium

A consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has reached a definitive agreement to acquire a minority stake in Liverpool, with the investment understood to be worth about one-third of the Premier League club.

Fenway Sports Group (FSG), Liverpool’s owners, said the agreement had been reached on Friday. A source familiar with the deal said the consortium’s stake would be approximately 33%.

British media reports valued the transaction at more than £1.5bn, putting Liverpool’s overall valuation above £5bn.

FSG will remain Liverpool’s majority shareholder and retain operational control. The American sports investment group bought the club in 2010 for £300m.

The new investment group is called 1892 Holdings and is led by Amit Bhatia, the former chairperson of Queens Park Rangers. It also includes the Mittal Family Trusts, EE Capital and K5 Sports, a fund in which Bezos is the lead investor.

Mike Gordon, FSG’s president, said the consortium’s outlook was aligned with the club’s existing ownership structure.

“As we considered this opportunity, it became clear that Amit and the consortium shared our long-term philosophy and appreciation for what makes Liverpool special,” FSG president Mike Gordon said in a statement.

“Their experience and perspective will complement the strong foundation already in place, and we look forward to working together.”

Bhatia will become Liverpool’s new vice chairperson and join an expanded board. Elaine Saverin, representing EE Capital, and Bryan Baum, from K5 Sports, will also take board positions.

Bezos will not join Liverpool’s board, according to the source familiar with the agreement.

Bhatia described the investment as an opportunity to support one of English football’s most successful clubs while working alongside its existing leadership.

“To be welcomed as a partner in a club of this stature is a huge privilege,” Bhatia said.

“We are making this investment because we believe deeply in Liverpool and its leadership, and we look forward to supporting the club’s continued success for years to come.”

Liverpool are joint-record 20-time English champions. They finished fifth in the Premier League last season and will begin the new campaign away to Newcastle United on 23 August.

The agreement gives FSG a continued controlling position at Anfield while bringing in a group of investors led by Bhatia and backed by Bezos. The deal marks a significant change in the club’s ownership structure since FSG completed its takeover more than a decade ago, although the American company will continue to oversee Liverpool’s operations.

Reuters