Liverpool has announced the start of a new era at the Merseyside club, with fresh investment being confirmed in the form of a consortium that includes Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos has bought a stake in Liverpool
Jeff Bezos has bought a stake in Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images))
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has confirmed that it has sold a significant minority stake to a consortium of investors, marking a new era for the club.
That consortium, led by British entrepreneur Amit Bhatia, includes some big names such as Amazon boss Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin. The strategic stake is believed to be worth roughly 30 percent of Liverpool, in a move that values the entire club at roughly $6 billion.
A statement from FSG on the Liverpool website reads: "Fenway Sports Group (FSG), a global sports, media, entertainment, and real estate company, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of a minority equity stake in Liverpool F.C. to 1892 Holdings, a consortium led and managed by Amit Bhatia, with investments from Amit Bhatia and the Mittal Family Trusts, K5 Sports (a K5 Global Fund), with Jeff Bezos as the lead investor in the K5 Sports fund, and EE Capital, the family office of Elaine and Eduardo Saverin.
"The strategic investment supports Liverpool F.C.’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. FSG continues to retain majority ownership and operational control of Liverpool F.C."
It's a major investment from Bhatia and co., which may eventually see the consortium take full control of Liverpool, though that is likely to be many years in the future.
FSG has sold a 30 percent stake in Liverpool to an Amit Bhatia-led consortium featuring the founders of Facebook and Amazon
FSG has sold a 30 percent stake in Liverpool to an Amit Bhatia-led consortium featuring the founders of Facebook and Amazon(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
The move sees FSG divest some of its investment in the Reds, allowing the owners to take some profit from the move without relinquishing full control of the club.
The statement includes words from FSG president Mike Gordon, who said: "Liverpool has always been built by thinking beyond one season and making decisions with the club’s long-term interests in mind.
"That approach continues to attract interest from respected investors and business leaders around the world.
"As we considered this opportunity, it became clear that Amit [Bhatia] and the consortium shared our long-term philosophy and appreciation for what makes Liverpool special.
"Their experience and perspective will complement the strong foundation already in place, and we look forward to working together.”
The move will continue to bring changes on and off the field for Liverpool, which has been a running theme over the past few years at Anfield.
There have already been changes on the pitch, with Andoni Iraola coming in as head coach over the summer, while several switches have come with the playing roster in the transfer window — and more are expected before the transfer window shuts.
Off the pitch, there are still decisions to be made over the sporting department, with Richard Hughes expected to leave his post as sporting director. That could all play into the other changes in the boardroom, with Liverpool building toward the next long-term project of sustained success at the very top once again.