Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos nears deal to buy stake in Liverpool FC

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is close to a deal to buy a roughly one-third stake in Liverpool according to Sky News.

Liverpool’s majority shareholder Fenway Sports Group is making an announcement this week; the consortium is chaired by Amit Bhatia, son-in-law of steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal.

Mr Bezos will join an investor group that includes Eduardo Saverin, one of the co-founders of the social network Facebook.

The syndicate is run by Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of steel mogul Lakshmi Mittal and former shareholder in Championship club Queens Park Rangers.

One insider stated that an announcement was expected in the coming days, but cautioned that it may happen next week.

If the deal is completed, a trio of the world’s wealthiest individuals will become co-owners of the Reds, one of the most successful teams in English football.

Forbes estimates that Mr Bezos alone is worth more than £207 billion ($280 billion), while Mr Saverin is claimed to be worth more than £23.7 billion ($32 billion).

Their investment in Liverpool is allegedly worth £4.4 billion ($6 billion), making it one of the sport’s most lucrative transactions.

While Mr Bezos has not previously been associated with football transactions, his potential participation in the Liverpool FC partnership demonstrates the extent to which affluent investors now regard sport as an asset class in its own right.

Mr Saverin, 44, was part of a syndicate that mounted an unsuccessful buyout bid for Chelsea FC during the 2022 auction sparked by Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

According to one insider, the acquisition is now believed to be slightly greater than previously assumed, with a share of more than 30%.

Nonetheless, if its price reaches £4.4 billion ($6 billion), the transaction will cement FSG’s enormous financial success over the club’s 16-year ownership.

The owner of the Boston Red Sox paid only £300 million for Liverpool, which was in financial difficulties.

The emergence of such a powerful consortium would heighten anticipation that its members will eventually seek complete control over the Reds.

A representative for FSG claimed last month that “An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club.”

FSG declined to comment further on the possible timing of a transaction. A spokeswoman for the partnership led by Mr. Bhatia declined to comment.

The last time a stake in Liverpool changed ownership was in 2023, when Dynasty Equity acquired a tiny stake worth more than £3.3 billion ($4.5 billion).