Fenway Sports Group has agreed to sell a minority stake in Liverpool FC to 1892 Holdings, a consortium led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia and backed by investors including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin. FSG will retain majority ownership and operational control of the Premier League club.
The deal values Liverpool at between £5 billion and £6 billion, according to BBC Sport, with the consortium acquiring about 30% of the club. Completion remains subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.
Bhatia is expected to become Liverpool’s vice-chairman and join an expanded board once the transaction is approved. He previously spent 18 years as a director and co-owner of Queens Park Rangers before giving up his stake in the club last month.
Bezos Invests Through K5 Sports
In its official announcement, FSG said 1892 Holdings includes Bhatia and the Mittal Family Trusts, K5 Sports and EE Capital, the family office of Elaine and Eduardo Saverin. Bezos is the lead investor in the K5 Sports fund.
Bezos will not join Liverpool’s board. K5 founder Bryan Baum is expected to take a board seat, while Elaine Saverin will also join alongside Bhatia.
The investment represents Bezos’s first confirmed involvement in ownership of a major professional sports club. He has previously been linked with possible investments in US franchises including the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders.
FSG said the consortium would work with Liverpool’s leadership to assess opportunities across business, technology and investment. The transaction also gives 1892 Holdings an option to increase its investment in the future, although no commitment has been made for FSG to sell control.
Investment Will Not Create a New Transfer Budget
The deal is not expected to change Liverpool’s approach to player transfers, and there is no separate transfer budget associated with the investment. FSG bought Liverpool for £300 million in 2010 and has since invested in projects including the redevelopment of Anfield and construction of the AXA Training Centre.
Liverpool reported record revenue of £703 million for the 2024-25 financial year and became the highest-earning Premier League club in Deloitte’s Football Money League earlier this year.
The investment would provide FSG with a substantial return while allowing it to remain in control of the club. Based on the reported valuation and 30% stake, the transaction could generate more than £1.5 billion for the ownership group.
Supporters’ group Spirit of Shankly has said it wants more information about what the consortium will receive in return for its investment and how the ownership changes could affect Liverpool in the long term. The group said it had contacted the Independent Football Regulator and urged against speculation that the deal would lead to increased transfer spending.
FSG president Mike Gordon said the group chose the consortium because its members shared Liverpool’s long-term approach, while Bhatia said 1892 Holdings was investing because of its confidence in the club and its leadership.
Featured image credits: Patrick Makhoul via Flickr
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