Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), have agreed to sell a 30% stake in the Premier League club to a consortium backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
FSG confirmed it had entered into a “definitive agreement” with 1892 Holdings for a “strategic minority investment” in Liverpool.
The consortium is led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia and includes billionaire Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.
Bhatia is set to become Liverpool’s vice-chairman and join the club’s expanded board, subject to regulatory approval.
Bezos, the fourth-richest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $256bn (£192bn), is making his first confirmed investment in sports ownership through the deal. However, he will not join Liverpool’s board.
Bryan Baum, founder of venture capital firm K5 Sports, through which Bezos is investing, will join the Liverpool board alongside Saverin’s wife, Elaine.
The deal values Liverpool at between £5bn and £6bn and includes an option for the consortium to increase its investment in the future.
However, there are no commitments for the consortium to become majority shareholders if FSG eventually decides to sell its controlling stake.
FSG will retain majority ownership and operational control of Liverpool.
ALSO READ: Liverpool issue over 400 lifetime bans in ticket touting crackdown
The investment will also have no immediate impact on Liverpool’s transfer policy, with no new or separate transfer budget attached to the deal.
FSG said the agreement “supports Liverpool’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,” the group added.
“FSG continues to retain majority ownership and operational control of Liverpool.”
Bhatia, the son-in-law of Indian billionaire businessman Lakshmi Mittal, previously served as a director and co-owner of Queens Park Rangers for 18 years before relinquishing his stake in the Championship club last month.
He said the consortium was “proud to be investing in Liverpool”.
“We have the utmost respect and admiration for FSG as owners and for everything they have achieved at Anfield,” he said.
“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.”
