A consortium featuring Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has acquired about 38 percent of Liverpool from Fenway Sports Group, in a deal that could reshape the ownership structure of the Premier League club.
The investment was initially described as being worth around a third of Liverpool, but that figure has been revised to around 40 percent. It means the whole club is valued at between £5 billion and £6 billion.
The News Chronicle reports that the consortium, called 1892 Holdings, has an option to buy a controlling stake in the club within 12 months, but there is no binding agreement to do so.
The investment vehicle is led by British Indian businessman Amit Bhatia, with Jeff Bezos and Facebook cofounder Eduardo Saverin also among its shareholders.
Bhatia is expected to become Liverpool’s vice chairman and join the club’s expanded board once regulatory approval is received.
Fenway Sports Group confirmed the agreement as a strategic minority investment, ending speculation over a possible change in its ownership position.
The development gives the Bezos-backed consortium significant influence at one of England’s biggest football clubs while keeping FSG in control for now.
