A consortium spearheaded by Amit Bhatia, featuring the founders of Facebook and Amazon, finalized an investment agreement with Fenway Sports Group for a 30% stake in Liverpool FC, believed to be valued at approximately £1.4 billion ($1.9 billion) on Friday.
While former Queens Park Rangers director Bhatia assumes the new role of vice-chairman at Liverpool, it is understood that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the consortium’s most prominent figure, will not hold a seat on the restructured board.
Bezos ranks as the third-wealthiest individual on the planet with an estimated fortune of £204 billion ($276.1 billion) and serves as the lead investor from the K5 Sports fund within the 1892 Holdings group, which has acquired roughly a third of the shares at Anfield, as per the Liverpool Echo.
Instead, Bryan Baum, the managing partner of K5 Global, will represent Bezos on Liverpool’s newly configured board of directors.
In what amounts to a significant overhaul at the club, the wife of Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, Elaine, will also join the expanded Liverpool board. The Saverin family are participating in the consortium through EE Capital.
The Harvard-educated Saverin is reportedly valued at around £24 billion ($32.5 billion) and was previously linked to an unsuccessful bid to acquire Chelsea in 2022, when Roman Abramovich was compelled to sell the club due to his connections with Russian President Vladimir Putin following the invasion of Ukraine.
FSG have made no secret of their openness to outside investment at Liverpool, and Bhatia’s 1892 Holdings group is considered the ideal fit as long-term partners, arriving just two months before the Boston-based ownership group marks its 16th anniversary at the helm.
The club’s long-term transfer market philosophy remains firmly intact, with budget decisions continuing to be handled by Liverpool’s football operations department.
To listen to the latest episode of ‘All Out Soccer’ – Liverpool complete $1.9 billion investment deal
There is no significant change to the day-to-day management of the club, which once again falls under the stewardship of FSG president Mike Gordon, who returned to his duties following Michael Edwards’s departure as CEO of football earlier this summer.
Under the deal, FSG maintains majority ownership and operational control of a club they acquired for just £300 million (around $470 million) in October 2010, bringing an end to the turbulent era of Tom Hicks and George Gillett, whose damaging tenure pushed Liverpool to the brink of financial collapse.
Speaking on behalf of 1892 Holdings, Mr Bhatia said: “We are incredibly proud to be investing in Liverpool Football Club and to be doing so alongside FSG.
“We have the utmost respect and admiration for FSG as owners and for everything they have achieved at Anfield.
“To be welcomed as a partner in a club of this stature is a huge privilege. We are making this investment because we believe deeply in Liverpool and its leadership, and we look forward to supporting the club’s continued success for years to come.”
-Credit:Bloomberg, Bloomberg via Getty Images
It’s understood that Bhatia’s 19-year tenure with QPR proved highly attractive to FSG.
While attention has naturally focused on Bezos and his vast fortune since the announcement went public last month, the ECHO understands it is the 46-year-old Bhatia with whom Liverpool’s American ownership has been engaging directly throughout recent negotiations.
Bhatia is the son-in-law of Lakshmi Mittal, the executive of ArcelorMittal – the world’s largest steel and mining company – and among the globe’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of £24 billion.
FSG believes Mr Bhatia and the Mittal Family Trusts can unlock fresh opportunities for the club throughout India and Asia.
Boston-based sources have also dismissed claims that the agreement marks the start of FSG’s departure as Liverpool owners, maintaining the minority stake merely provides additional avenues to expand the club’s standing as a force in European and global soccer.
Mike Gordon, who is commonly regarded as the most involved of the present ownership group, 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 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 Fenway group, then operating under the name New England Sports Ventures, acquired the Reds for £300m in October 2010.
Almost 16 years on, the 20-time Premier League champions are valued at £4.57 billion ($6.2 billion) by the highly regarded American financial publication Forbes.
FSG have sold a 30% stake in Liverpool to an Amit Bhatia-led consortium featuring the founders of Facebook and Amazon -Credit:Carl Recine/Getty Images
Earlier this year, the club recorded revenues exceeding £700 million ($947.2 million) for the first time in its history, posting a post-tax profit of £8 million ($10.8 million) in its most recent financial results in February.
In 2024, FSG began investigating opportunities to establish a multi-club ownership model but recently abandoned those plans, resulting in the departure of Edwards, Liverpool’s former sporting director, who had been appointed as the ownership group’s CEO of football two years prior.
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