There could be an interesting connection between the **Los Angeles Lakers’ shock ownership deal and the future of Liverpool**, even if the two stories initially appear completely unrelated.
It is important to stress that this is **speculation rather than a confirmed link**.
But when you start connecting the dots, there is certainly a scenario where the Lakers deal could have implications for Fenway Sports Group and Liverpool.
For some time, FSG had been linked with the possibility of becoming the owners of a new NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas.
That made sense given FSG’s existing involvement in American sport and its desire to continue expanding its portfolio.
However, the reported price of an NBA expansion franchise was believed to be a major obstacle.
Now there is a significant development.
A group led by Josh Kushner and Bob Iger has agreed a deal to acquire a controlling stake in the Lakers at a **record $12.5 billion valuation**.
And that could potentially change the landscape for FSG.
If FSG genuinely wanted to pursue the Las Vegas NBA franchise, one of the biggest potential competitors for that opportunity has effectively disappeared.
The group that had reportedly been targeting Las Vegas has instead ended up buying the Lakers.
That could make an NBA expansion opportunity more attractive to FSG.
But there is another enormous piece of the puzzle.
**Liverpool.**
FSG are reportedly close to selling around **30% of Liverpool to a consortium including Jeff Bezos**, with the deal potentially valuing Liverpool at around £4.4bn and giving FSG approximately £1.35bn.
That would be a huge financial return for FSG.
And this is where the theory becomes interesting.
If FSG receive more than £1bn from selling part of Liverpool **while retaining control of the football club**, could some of that capital potentially help fund another major sports investment?
Perhaps.
This is where we have to be careful.
There is **nothing to confirm that FSG are planning to use money from the Liverpool investment to buy an NBA franchise**.
There is also no confirmation that FSG will pursue Las Vegas at all.
But the circumstances have certainly changed.
You potentially have:
**FSG wanting an NBA expansion team.**
**The biggest apparent competition for Las Vegas now buying the Lakers instead.**
**A huge Liverpool minority investment potentially putting more than £1bn into FSG’s hands.**
Put those three things together and you can at least understand why people are asking questions.
This is the part Liverpool supporters should pay attention to.
If FSG sell 30% of Liverpool, they aren’t selling control.
They would still remain the controlling owners.
But they would have monetised a significant portion of their investment while bringing in extremely wealthy new investors.
That could give FSG additional capital to deploy elsewhere.
And if one of those destinations is an NBA expansion franchise, Liverpool could potentially become part of a much larger American sports portfolio.
That isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
FSG have demonstrated over the years that they understand the value of building sporting organisations as long-term assets.
But Liverpool supporters will understandably want to know **what the long-term plan is**.
Potentially.
If the Bezos consortium investment goes through, Liverpool would have new minority investors with enormous financial resources, while FSG retain control.
It could also strengthen Liverpool’s position within FSG’s global sports network.
The club’s value has risen enormously since FSG bought Liverpool in 2010, and the proposed transaction would underline just how valuable the Reds have become.
But supporters shouldn’t assume that selling 30% automatically means Liverpool will suddenly have another £1.35bn available for transfers.
The money from a share sale can go to the existing shareholders rather than directly into the football club.
That’s an important distinction.
That’s another fascinating possibility.
A minority investment doesn’t necessarily mean FSG are preparing to leave Liverpool.
In fact, the reported deal allows them to **retain control while taking substantial money off the table**.
But if the Bezos consortium enjoys being involved with one of the world’s biggest sporting brands, could today’s minority investment eventually become something bigger?
That is impossible to know.
For now, FSG remain in control.
Maybe.
Maybe not.
It could simply be a coincidence that the group reportedly interested in Las Vegas has ended up buying the Lakers, while FSG are simultaneously preparing to sell a significant minority stake in Liverpool.
But if FSG wanted Las Vegas, **the landscape has just changed dramatically**.
And if the Liverpool deal provides FSG with a huge injection of cash while removing a major competitor from the Las Vegas race, then suddenly the NBA expansion story becomes much more interesting.
**We’re connecting dots that may not actually connect.**
But if things go a certain way, **the Lakers purchase could have genuine implications for Liverpool.**
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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