Amazon founder Jeff Bezos speaking at the Leaders' Action on Forests and Land-use event during the Cop26 summit at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow. Picture date: Tuesday November 2, 2021.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos speaking at the Leaders' Action on Forests and Land-use event during the Cop26 summit at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow. Picture date: Tuesday November 2, 2021.
Fenway Sports Group sold a share worth around 38 percent of Liverpool FC to a consortium including lead investor Jeff Bezos, it has now been revealed.
It was confirmed on Friday evening that 1892 Holdings, the consortium led by businessman and former QPR chairman Amit Bhatia, had purchased a significant minority stake in Liverpool.
The deal, reportedly worth up to £1.65 billion, was initially said to have seen FSG sell off 30 percent of their shares in the club.
But The Athletic‘s Dan Sheldon now reports that Bhatia’s consortium owns 38 percent of the club.
1892 Holdings is led by Bhatia and includes Amazon founder Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.
Queens Park Rangers Chairman Tony Fernandes (left) and vice-chairman Amit Bhatia in the stands
Queens Park Rangers Chairman Tony Fernandes (left) and vice-chairman Amit Bhatia in the stands
Liverpool have expanded their board to incorporate Bhatia as new vice-chairman – alongside FSG’s Tom Werner – as well as positions for EE Capital’s Elaine Saverin and K5 Sports’ Bryan Baum (representing Bezos).
The group also holds the option to purchase a majority shareholding in the club within the next 12 months, signalling FSG’s willingness to concede control.
Sheldon writes: “The language around the potential for them to buy an even bigger stake, however, does not constitute a formal commitment, so it is only an option that could lead to further investment as opposed to being a requirement.”
While FSG, and namely principal owner John W. Henry, chairman Werner and president Mike Gordon, retain operational control as it stands, that could change by 2027.
Jeff Bezos (Image: Abaca Press/Alamy Live News)
Jeff Bezos (Image: Abaca Press/Alamy Live News)
That a more significant share of the club has already been sold indicates that this is a very real possibility.
Though Bezos is expected to be hands-off in his role, the third-richest man in the world is considered the lead investor within 1892 Holdings.
CNBC‘s Alex Sherman has reported that Bezos contributed more than $1 billion (£738.7m) of the initial fund in his first investment into sports.
There was no visible presence from Liverpool’s new part-owners at Anfield for the final friendly of pre-season on Sunday, but it is likely that at least Bhatia attends games in the future.
The 46-year-old, son-in-law of Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, was heavily involved in the running of QPR during his 18 years as owner and director.
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