Jeff Bezos Consortium Could Become Majority Liverpool Shareholder Within a Year
Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool FC, where new investment from Jeff Bezos and Amit Bhatia’s consortium could reshape the club’s ownership structure.
1892 Holdings, the new investor in Liverpool, has secured the right of first refusal to become the club’s majority shareholder over the next 12 months if Fenway Sports Group (FSG) decides to sell or reduce its stake.
The consortium, led by Amit Bhatia and including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, was initially believed to have acquired between 30% and one-third of Liverpool when the investment was announced on Friday. However, the agreement actually covers a 38% stake in the Anfield club, with 1892 Holdings paying FSG just over £2bn for its minority shareholding.
The larger investment values Liverpool at approximately £5.5bn.
- First Refusal: 1892 Holdings has first refusal if FSG opts to sell.
- Investment Amount: Consortium paid more than £2bn for its initial 38% stake in Liverpool.
FSG, which acquired Liverpool for £300m in 2010, stressed on Friday that the agreement with 1892 Holdings was not part of an exit strategy. The ownership group was also not required to sell any additional shares in the club to the consortium in the future.
That position remains unchanged. However, if FSG chooses to sell or reduce its Liverpool shareholding during the next 12 months, 1892 Holdings has an agreement that gives it the option to purchase a controlling stake.
Liverpool’s majority owner has emphasized that the arrangement represents an option available to 1892 Holdings over the next year rather than a formal commitment to make a further investment.
FSG will continue to retain operational control of Liverpool. Nevertheless, the agreement creates the possibility that Bezos, Bhatia and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, another billionaire member of the consortium, could eventually replace FSG as the club’s majority shareholders.
Bezos Among Consortium's High-Profile Investors
Bezos, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, is currently regarded as a passive investor in Liverpool. He invested in 1892 Holdings through the K5 Sports fund, where he is the lead investor.
Bryan Baum, co-founder and managing partner of K5 Global, is expected to take a seat on an expanded Liverpool board. He will join Bhatia, who will serve as vice-chair, and Elaine Saverin, the wife of Eduardo Saverin.
Bhatia has received financial backing from the Mittal Family Trust for his investment in Liverpool. His father-in-law is Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, another billionaire.
The Mittal family is estimated to be worth around $17bn, while Eduardo Saverin has an estimated net worth of $33bn.