Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has been warned about "throwing money around" after buying a stake in Liverpool, with reports this week suggesting his consortium now owns 38 per cent
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.(Image: Benjamin Girette/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has been warned that he won't be able to "throw money around" after investing in Liverpool FC.
Reports this week suggest that the consortium involving the American now owns 38 per cent of the club, with a possible pathway for a full takeover in the future. For now, FSG remains the majority owner.
But even though Amazon billionaire Bezos and co have come in, the expectation is that in the immediate term, nothing substantial will change. Day to day, Liverpool will continue to be run in a sustainable manner, and the rules regarding spending prevent excessive splurges anyway.
"It’s a tricky dynamic," former Liverpool man Neil Ruddock told iGaming.
"You can be one of the wealthiest men in the world, but under current Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), you can’t just throw unlimited money around. Look at Newcastle United under Saudi ownership — they have vast resources but face strict spending caps.
"Ultimately, if Liverpool win matches and silverware, fans won't care who holds the purse strings; they just demand success. An owner's popularity only really becomes an issue when the team starts losing.
Executive Chairman of Amazon Jeff Bezos attends the 11th Breakthrough Prize ceremony at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California
Amazon chief Jeff Bezos is set to be part of an investment group at Liverpool(Image: MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images)
"It's no longer like the old-school club chairmen who funded everything out of pocket. Bezos is one of the richest men on earth, but spending power is strictly governed now."
Bezos is just one of a number of people involved in the investment. The former QPR owner Amit Bhatia is seemingly the face of the deal and will take a seat on the board.
"I don't think supporters will judge Bezos too harshly initially, but what can a figure like that actually improve at a club already operating at the top level?" Ruddock asked.
"Why do billionaires buy these clubs anyway — is it a status symbol, a toy, or a genuine hobby?
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"PSR is a strange landscape — Manchester City faced 115 charges and it drags on. Whether it's Newcastle or Liverpool, any owner wants to make improvements, but the market is constrained.
"The absolute elite pool of global talent is tiny. If top players become available, they often default to Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Manchester City, leaving Liverpool fourth in line for signature signings. It makes improving a top-tier squad genuinely difficult."
Liverpool.com says: Bezos is a big name but it remains to be seen exactly what the investment means. Right now, it adds expertise above all else, with the possibility of a full takeover in the future. Beyond that, we don't know a greal deal.