Bezos-led consortium agrees to acquire minority stake in Liverpool FC
Fenway Sports Group retains operational control as transaction moves toward regulatory approval
A consortium led by British-Indian entrepreneur Amit Bhatia has reached a definitive agreement to purchase a strategic minority stake in Liverpool Football Club. The syndicate, which includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, is set to acquire approximately one-third of the club from majority owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG).
According to reporting by Sky News, the transaction values the English Premier League side at more than $7bn (£5.2bn). The deal represents a significant escalation in the valuation of the club, which is currently ranked as the fourth most valuable football team globally.
The acquisition is structured through 1892 Holdings, the investment vehicle managed by Bhatia. Bhatia, who previously served as chairman of Queens Park Rangers between 2018 and 2023, transferred his stake in that club earlier this week to majority owner Ruben Gnanalingam. His investment firm, AyBe Capital, holds interests in diversified sectors including technology, media, and property, as well as ventures in golf league TGL and cricket media brand Switch Hitter.
Jeff Bezos, who Forbes estimates has a personal fortune of $281bn, joins the consortium alongside Saverin, who was part of an unsuccessful takeover bid for Chelsea in 2022. While Bezos has previously explored bids for American football franchises, this marks a notable entry into European football ownership. The deal was first reported late last month and has accelerated rapidly toward completion.
FSG, which purchased the club in 2010 for £300m when it was known as New England Sports Ventures, retains complete operational control. The sale of a 30 per cent stake is valued at more than five times the original purchase price for the entire club. Other minority holders include private equity firms RedBird Capital and Arctos Sports Partners, as well as Dynasty Equity, which injected £164m in 2023.
The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. FSG had indicated in 2022 that it was open to fresh investment, a stance that aligns with the club’s success under their tenure, during which they lifted every major trophy available. The deal marks one of the richest transactions in sport’s history, solidifying Liverpool’s financial standing while maintaining its current governance structure.
