Jeff Bezos: Amazon founder joined the consortium that

According to Bbc.

Context

Jeff Bezos, known for his success in business, is now making a move into the world of sports ownership, which could change the dynamics in the Premier League. His investment could help Liverpool achieve its ambitious plans while keeping Fenway Sports Group in control of the club.

Why is this important

The agreement to sell a stake in Liverpool to a consortium involving Jeff Bezos underlines the growing interest in investment in Premier League football. It could also strengthen the club's financial position, which is important for its long-term Premier League ambitions. The entry of such influential investors as Bezos could attract additional attention to the club and its projects.

Key takeaways

• Jeff Bezos: Amazon founder joined the consortium that.
• Liverpool agreed to sell about a third of the club to a consortium involving Jeff Bezos, which values the club at more than £5 billion.
• Jeff Bezos: Amazon founder part of consortium that agrees to buy into Liverpool - BBC Sport.

Liverpool Football Club's owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), have announced an agreement to sell about a third of the club to a consortium that includes billionaire Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. In a statement, FSG confirmed that a "definitive agreement" had been reached to sell the "strategic minority investment" to 1892 Holdings, led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia. The consortium also includes billionaire Eduardo Saverin, co-founder of Facebook.

Bhatia will become vice-chairman of Liverpool and join the club's expanded board, subject to regulatory approval. He is the son-in-law of Indian businessman Lakshmi Mittal and previously served as a director and co-owner of Queens Park Rangers for 18 years before selling his stake last month.

Jeff Bezos, the world's fourth richest man with a fortune estimated at £256 billion ($332 billion), is taking his first step into sports ownership, although he will not sit on the board of Liverpool. However, Brian Baum, founder of the venture capital firm K5 Sports through which Bezos invests, will join the club's board along with Saverin's wife, Elaine. Bezos is K5 Sports' largest investor.

According to BBC Sport, the deal will not affect the club's approach to the transfer window and there will be no new or separate transfer budget associated with the investment.The agreement includes an option for the consortium to increase its stake in the future, which suggests the group would be in a prime position to acquire a majority stake if FSG decides to sell, but there were no commitments to do so, the sources said.

The deal values ​​the club at between £5-6 billion. FSG says the agreement "supports Liverpool's long-term ambitions by bringing together experts from across a range of business, technology and investment sectors." The statement also added that "the consortium partners will work with FSG and the club's management to assess opportunities that will further the club's goals both on and off the field." FSG continues to hold majority control and operational management of the club.

FSG acquired Liverpool in 2010 for £300 million and previously sold a minority stake in the club to global investment firm Dynasty Equity. Mike Gordon, President of FSG, said: "Liverpool has always been built by thinking beyond a single season and making decisions with the long-term interests of the club in mind. This approach continues to attract the interest of respected investors and business people around the world. As we considered this opportunity, it became clear that Amit and the consortium share our long-term philosophy and value of what makes Liverpool special."Bhatia also expressed his pride in investing in Liverpool, saying: "We have the greatest respect and admiration for FSG as owners and for everything they have achieved at Anfield. It is a huge privilege to be accepted as a partner in a club of this stature."

Liverpool became the top Premier League club by revenue in January, according to analysis by Deloitte. The following month, the club announced record revenues of £703 million for the 2024–25 financial year. BBC Sport reports that while FSG was not seeking investment out of financial necessity, their management was interested in the consortium's reach into global business, technology and investment, including India and across Asia.

When FSG bought Liverpool for £300 million in 2010, the club was on the verge of bankruptcy, as noted by chief executive Billy Hogan. During its ownership, FSG also provided intra-group borrowings of approximately £218 million, bringing total costs to approximately £518 million. Sixteen years later, the proposed sale of a 30% stake will bring FSG more than £1.5 billion - five times what the club was worth in 2010.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire said: "This is a great deal for FSG. They get over £1bn from the deal and retain control - it represents the best of both worlds."The significant increase in Liverpool's value required investment not only on the pitch but also off it, including the construction of a new training ground and stadium renovation. The long-term title drought was ended in 2019-20, with the club winning another Premier League title in 2024-25 and a sixth Champions League in 2019.

Bezos, who stepped down as Amazon CEO five years ago, remains one of the company's largest shareholders. He also owns the aerospace company Blue Origin, venture capital firm Nash Holdings and the Washington Post. What's more, he recently launched artificial intelligence company Prometheus, which last month invested £330 million in a UK AI startup.

Given his financial resources, Bezos recently filed to sell 15 million of Amazon's remaining shares, with a market value of about £3.1 billion - double the value of the consortium's bid for the Liverpool stake. Bezos has long been interested in investing in sports, but those tend to be American sports franchises, which are either more expensive or unavailable to offer. He was also reported to be interested in NFL team the Seattle Seahawks, which was sold for £7.3 billion. The Washington Commanders, another NFL team, have also been mentioned as a potential target of interest, having been sold for £4.6 billion in 2023.Taking a stake in Liverpool gives Bezos, 62, a piece of one of the world's most iconic sports brands for a fraction of his fortune.

Saverin, the co-founder of Facebook, is also involved in the consortium and is worth an estimated $32 billion (£23.7 billion). Liverpool fans see the club as having certain values ​​based on its working-class roots. When FSG tried to raise season ticket prices last season, fan group Spirit of Shankly launched a campaign called 'Not a Pound in the Ground', urging fans to buy food and drink from local businesses in the Anfield area rather than inside the stadium. This worked, forcing the club to reduce the size of its planned price increase.

This week SOS expressed some concerns about the proposed investment. "We would like to know what the consortium is buying in return for its 30% stake. Does this potential group have the club's interests first or is it just a 'trophy' purchase?" - said the SOS representative. The group added in a new statement on Friday: "Today's announcement has raised many questions for fans. We will seek to engage to better understand what this sale and subsequent changes will mean for the future of LFC and its fans. We have contacted the independent football regulator to discuss next steps."Gareth Roberts, a Liverpool season ticket holder and host of the LFC Late Challenge podcast, told BBC Sport this week that he was concerned about Amazon's approach given criticism of the company for the way it treats its workers. A 2020 report by the Trade Union Confederation on Amazon found "long, arduous shifts with unreasonable production standards and unfair shift patterns" and "unacceptable working conditions." In 2024, more than 200 workers took part in a two-day strike at an Amazon facility in Birmingham as part of a long-running dispute over wages and union rights. Amazon said it regularly reviews its salaries to ensure competitive salaries. “The way Amazon treats unions and workers is not very nice,” Roberts said. "Is he just going to raise Liverpool's name to make as much money as possible?"

What happens next

After receiving regulatory approval, Bhatia will become vice-chairman of Liverpool and will join the club's expanded board. It is expected that the consortium will have the opportunity to increase its stake in the future, which could lead to changes in the club's ownership structure. However, according to BBC Sport, this agreement will not affect the club's transfer policy in the near future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Liverpool?

Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group, have announced an agreement to sell about a third of the club to a consortium that includes Jeff Bezos.

Who confirmed the deal?

The deal was confirmed by the owners of the Liverpool club, Fenway Sports Group (FSG).

Why did the deal happen now?

The deal supports Liverpool's long-term ambitions and includes an option for the consortium to increase its share in the future.

What changes will occur in the management of the club?

Amit Bhatia will become vice-chairman of Liverpool and join the club's expanded board once regulatory approval is received.

How will the deal affect the club's transfers?

The deal will not affect the club's approach to the transfer window and there will be no new transfer budget associated with this investment.

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