Liverpool have responded to Spirit of Shankly after the supporters’ union wrote to the club seeking clarity over a potential sale of a stake in the business, according to a statement published by the group.
The letter followed reports that Fenway Sports Group is closing in on a deal to sell a 30 percent stake in Liverpool to a consortium led by Amit Bhatia, which also includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.
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The deal has been reported at around £1.35 billion, valuing the club at approximately £4.5 billion.
Spirit of Shankly wrote to the club at the end of July, before the scale of the reported deal became clear.
The union asked five direct questions, starting with a timeline for when the ownership expects any sale to conclude.
It also asked what the purchasers would receive in return, including board seats, involvement in decisions on and off the pitch, and any dividends or other financial returns.
A further question asked whether the move is a one-off or part of a wider planned sale.
Spirit of Shankly also asked FSG to explain its reasoning for considering the sale, and what due diligence has been carried out on the incoming investors, including their business interests elsewhere in sport.
The group requested a meeting with the club alongside its questions.
In its letter, Spirit of Shankly said the ownership and custodianship of Liverpool is “paramount” to the union and its members. It pointed to comparable sales at other clubs that have led to changes in football operations and decision-making that fans did not want.
The union also referenced the events that led to FSG’s own takeover of Liverpool in 2010, arguing that who owns the club and how they exercise control remains fundamental to supporters.
According to Spirit of Shankly, the club’s response was that it would be willing to meet with the Supporters Board if the proposed deal becomes “more formalised.”
The union said it has received no further information beyond that commitment and will update its members when it does.
FSG bought Liverpool in 2010 and previously sold a 3 percent stake in the club to the US private equity firm Dynasty Equity in 2023.