Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have sold a third of the club to a consortium of billionaires which includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
The mammoth deal sees the Boston-based FSG earn £1.65billion in return for selling a percentage of their stake.
As well as Bezos, billionaire Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin is part of the consortium that is left by British-Indian millionaire businessman Amit Bhatia.
Bhatia is the son-in-law of Indian billionaire businessman Lakshmi Mittal and had been a director and co-owner of Queens Park Rangers for 18 years before relinquishing his stake in the club last month.
Bezos has a fortune estimated by Forbes at over £207bn ($280bn). This marks his first foray into sports ownership, although he will not join Liverpool’s board as Bhatia will be vice-chair.
Their investment in Liverpool values the club somewhere in the region of £6bn ($6-7bn), making it one of the sport’s richest-ever deals.
Liverpool statement
‘Fenway Sports Group (FSG), a global sports, media, entertainment and real estate company, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of a minority equity stake in Liverpool FC to 1892 Holdings, a consortium led and managed by Amit Bhatia, with investments from Amit Bhatia and the Mittal Family Trusts, K5 Sports (a K5 Global Fund), with Jeff Bezos as the lead investor in the K5 Sports fund, and EE Capital, the family office of Elaine and Eduardo Saverin,’ a club statement on the Reds’ website began.
‘The strategic investment supports Liverpool FC’s long-term growth ambitions by bringing together experts from across global business, technology and investment.
‘The consortium partners will work with FSG and the club’s leadership team to evaluate opportunities that enhance the club’s objectives on and off the pitch. FSG continues to retain majority ownership and operational control of Liverpool FC.
‘Mike Gordon, FSG President, said: “Liverpool has always been built by thinking beyond one season and making decisions with the club’s long-term interests in mind. That approach continues to attract interest from respected investors and business leaders around the world. 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. Their experience and perspective will complement the strong foundation already in place, and we look forward to working together.”‘
‘Amit Bhatia, on behalf of 1892 Holdings, said: “We are incredibly proud to be investing in Liverpool Football Club and to be doing so alongside FSG. We have the utmost respect and admiration for FSG as owners and for everything they have achieved at Anfield. To be welcomed as a partner in a club of this stature is a huge privilege. 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.”‘
