A consortium featuring Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has acquired around 38% of Liverpool from Fenway Sports Group, giving the investment group a substantial minority position in the Premier League club.
The size of the transaction is larger than initially reported, when 1892 Holdings was believed to have purchased roughly one-third of Liverpool. The agreement also includes an option that could allow the consortium to pursue a controlling stake within the next 12 months, although there is no obligation to complete a further purchase.
Fenway Sports Group has confirmed an agreement to sell the minority holding to 1892 Holdings, which takes its name from the year Liverpool were founded.
The consortium is led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia and also includes Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.
Subject to regulatory approval, Bhatia is set to become Liverpool’s vice-chairman and take a seat on an expanded board. He previously spent 18 years as a director and co-owner of Queens Park Rangers before giving up his stake in the Championship club in July.
Bhatia is also the son-in-law of Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal.
The transaction is understood to place Liverpool’s overall valuation at between £5 billion and £6 billion, making the investment one of the most significant ownership changes involving a leading English football club in recent years.