London (AFP) – Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is part of a consortium nearing a deal to buy a one-third stake in Premier League club Liverpool, a report said Monday. Sky News reported that Bezos was part of an investor group led by Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of Indian steel billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, which also includes Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) confirmed the approach from Bhatia’s group last month. “An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club,” an FSG spokesman told AFP. Bhatia was until recently a shareholder in Championship club Queens Park Rangers.
The Sky report indicated that the consortium was “closing in on a deal to buy a roughly one-third stake in Liverpool,” with FSG preparing to make an announcement “as soon as this week.” Bezos, 62, is one of the world’s richest men, with a fortune estimated by Forbes magazine at more than $280 billion, while Saverin’s wealth is estimated at $33 billion.
Bezos has reportedly explored previous bids for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, but ultimately decided against pursuing either deal. Sky reported that the investment in Liverpool, part of an influx of American money into the Premier League, would value the 20-time English league champions at $6 billion.
FSG, which also owns the Boston Red Sox baseball team, purchased Liverpool in 2010 for £300 million ($405 million). It sold a minority stake in the club in 2023 to US private equity group Dynasty Equity. Liverpool won the Premier League title in the 2024/25 season under coach Arne Slot, but the Dutchman was sacked in May after a turbulent season.
© 2024 AFP
