A consortium led by Amit Bhatia and including Jeff Bezos has bought a 38% stake in Liverpool from Fenway Sports Group, paying more than £2bn and securing first refusal to take a majority holding within 12 months, according to the Guardian.
Key facts
- 1892 Holdings bought a 38% stake in Liverpool from Fenway Sports Group (FSG).
- The consortium is led by Amit Bhatia and includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
- The group paid more than £2bn for the initial slice, valuing the club at about £5.5bn, the Guardian reported.
- 1892 Holdings has first refusal to become majority shareholder within the next 12 months should FSG decide to sell.
- The deal was announced on Friday, according to the Guardian.
A consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has bought close to 40% of Liverpool from Fenway Sports Group (FSG), according to the BBC.
The Guardian reported that the new investor, 1892 Holdings, agreed to take a 38% stake in the Anfield club. That figure is larger than initial estimates, which suggested the group had bought between 30% and one-third of Liverpool when the deal was announced on Friday.
The consortium is led by Amit Bhatia and includes Bezos. According to the Guardian, 1892 Holdings paid FSG just over £2bn to become a minority shareholder in the club.
The transaction values Liverpool at about £5.5bn, the Guardian reported, citing figures first reported by the Athletic.
Crucially, the agreement gives 1892 Holdings first refusal to become the majority shareholder over the next 12 months, should Fenway Sports Group decide to sell. That option means the Bezos-backed group could move from minority investor to controlling shareholder within a year.
The sources provided do not include further detail on the wider terms of the deal, the future plans of either FSG or 1892 Holdings, or any comment from the parties involved.
Why it matters
Liverpool is one of the most valuable clubs in world football, and the arrival of a consortium backed by one of the world's richest people signals a major potential shift in ownership. With an option to take majority control within a year, the deal raises questions about the club's long-term direction under Fenway Sports Group.
Frequently asked questions
How much of Liverpool did the Bezos consortium buy?
According to the Guardian, 1892 Holdings agreed to buy a 38% stake, having initially been believed to have bought between 30% and one-third of the club.
How much did the consortium pay and how is Liverpool valued?
The Guardian reported the group paid FSG just over £2bn for its stake, with the deal valuing Liverpool at about £5.5bn.
Could the consortium take full control of Liverpool?
1892 Holdings has first refusal to become the majority shareholder within the next 12 months should Fenway Sports Group decide to sell, according to the Guardian.