A consortium including the Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, is close to completing a deal for a 30% stake in Liverpool after months of talks with Fenway Sports Group.
The development signals a major shift for the billionaire, who has long been rumored to be eyeing sports investments but has yet to commit to a team until now.
If finalised, the transaction would inject substantial new capital into the Premier League giants and place Bezos alongside a high-profile group of global investors.
Who Is Behind the Bid?
The investors are led by Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of the Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal and who previously was a shareholder and director at Queens Park Rangers. Bhatia’s deep experience in English football governance is expected to provide operational continuity as the new stakeholders integrate with existing management.
The Guardian reports that the Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin is another member of the group who will pay in the region of £1.35bn. Saverin’s participation adds further weight to the consortium, uniting two of the most recognizable names in tech and e-commerce.
Valuation and Financial Breakdown
Liverpool is one of the most notable sports teams in Europe and is worth about $6 billion, reports Forbes. The proposed 30% stake would value the transaction at roughly $1.8 billion, aligning with the £1.35bn contribution cited by The Guardian.
Bezos has a personal fortune of around $257bn (£190bn), according to Forbes, making him the fourth-richest person in the world, while Saverin is reportedly worth $32bn. Despite their immense wealth, this will be Bezos’s first investment in football, although he has previously looked into bidding for NFL franchises.
Timeline and Advisory Role
The deal is effectively agreed, but may take up to a month to complete. Industry insiders suggest the delay is routine, allowing for regulatory checks and final contractual sign-offs.
The 62-year-old will receive equity as part of the deal, which Deloitte has advised on. The professional services firm’s involvement underscores the complexity and scale of the transaction, ensuring all financial and compliance frameworks are meticulously addressed.
Bezos’s Growing Sports Portfolio
While Bezos is the executive chair of Amazon, having relinquished day-to-day control when he stepped down as chief executive five years ago, this move into Liverpool represents a strategic diversification of his personal assets. His prior interest in NFL franchises indicates a long-held appetite for elite sports ownership, and the Liverpool deal may finally be the vehicle that brings that ambition to life.
What This Means for Liverpool and the Premier League
Should the deal close, Liverpool would join a growing list of Premier League clubs backed by American and global billionaires, further intensifying the financial arms race at the top of English football. For fans, the entry of Bezos and his consortium could accelerate stadium developments, recruitment, and commercial expansion—though all parties remain tight-lipped on specific operational changes until the paperwork is finalized.
