A consortium led by British Indian businessman Amit Bhatia and including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has agreed to buy a strategic minority stake of about 38% in Liverpool from Fenway Sports Group (FSG), Trybal News reports.
The deal gives 1892 Holdings a significant position in one of English football’s biggest clubs. It also opens the possibility of a much larger change in ownership, with the consortium holding an option to pursue a controlling stake during the next 12 months.
FSG confirmed the agreement on Friday, describing the transaction as a “definitive agreement” for the sale of a “strategic minority investment” to 1892 Holdings.
The size of the deal had initially been reported at around one third of Liverpool. However, The Athletic later reported that the consortium had actually secured close to 38% of the club.
The investment values Liverpool at between £5bn and £6bn, underlining the huge financial growth of the Premier League and the club since FSG completed its takeover in 2010.
Who is behind the Liverpool investment?
The consortium takes its name from 1892, the year Liverpool Football Club was founded. Bhatia leads the group, which also includes Bezos and billionaire Facebook co founder Eduardo Saverin.
Bhatia will become Liverpool’s vice chairman and join the club’s expanded board once the relevant regulatory approvals arrive.
The British Indian businessman already has extensive experience in football ownership. He served as a director and co owner of Queens Park Rangers for 18 years before giving up his stake in the Championship club last month.
Bhatia is also the son in law of Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, adding further financial weight to a consortium that now includes some of the world’s most prominent business figures.
Bezos, the founder of Amazon, brings global business influence and enormous financial resources to the group. Saverin, meanwhile, made his fortune as a co founder of Facebook and remains one of the world’s wealthiest technology investors.
Despite the scale of the investment, 1892 Holdings will initially remain a minority shareholder rather than taking control of Liverpool.
The option to seek a controlling stake within the next year will nevertheless attract attention. FSG will retain control for now, while the new investors gain a major financial interest in the club.
The agreement also represents another major development in Liverpool’s ownership story. Since FSG took charge, the club has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
The latest investment shows how valuable Liverpool has become in the global sports market. With the club’s worldwide fan base, commercial reach and continued presence among Europe’s elite, the deal places its valuation firmly among the highest in football.
For now, Liverpool remains under FSG control. However, the arrival of 1892 Holdings, backed by Bhatia, Bezos and Saverin, gives the club a powerful new group of investors and creates the possibility of a much bigger ownership shift before the end of the next 12 months.
