Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in talks to join consortium seeking 30% stake in Liverpool

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, is reportedly in discussions to join a consortium aiming to acquire a 30 percent stake in Liverpool Football Club. The group, led by Amit Bhatia, a former co-owner of Queens Park Rangers, has submitted a provisional offer valued at £1.35 billion (approximately €1.58 billion) to purchase a portion of the club from Fenway Sports Group (FSG). This move comes amid ongoing efforts to attract new investors to bolster the club's financial position. The proposed transaction would mark a significant shift in ownership structure for Liverpool, which currently operates under FSG's control. According to reports, the consortium’s bid values the club at around £4.5 billion, surpassing the previous valuation of Manchester United when Sir Jim Ratcliffe acquired a 25 percent stake two years ago. Bhatia’s team is actively seeking additional backers, including potential contributions from other high-profile individuals or entities. Bezos, who holds a personal fortune estimated at approximately $257 billion (around €301 billion) by Forbes, is considered one of the wealthiest individuals globally. He has previously explored opportunities in American football, notably considering bids for the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, though these did not result in completed transactions. This marks the first time Bezos has been linked to a potential investment in the Premier League. As executive chair of Amazon, Bezos has stepped back from daily operational duties since resigning as CEO five years ago. During his tenure, Amazon expanded beyond e-commerce into media and entertainment, acquiring extensive sports broadcasting rights. These include live coverage of 20 Premier League matches annually for six consecutive seasons prior to the end of last year, along with broadcasting rights for the UEFA Champions League in multiple European nations and NFL games in the United States. Bhatia’s consortium has already secured support from his father-in-law, Lakshmi Mittal, an influential figure in the Indian steel industry. The Mittal family is estimated to possess assets worth roughly £23 billion (about €27 billion). In preparation for this venture, Bhatia recently transferred his shares in QPR to fellow owner Ruben Gnanalingam, effectively clearing the path for his consortium’s involvement in Liverpool. FSG has acknowledged the ongoing negotiations, stating that "an investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club." The club previously sold a 3 percent stake to the U.S. private equity firm Dynasty Equity in 2023. However, representatives from Bhatia’s side have not yet commented publicly on the matter. The potential inclusion of Bezos in the consortium could bring substantial resources and global recognition to Liverpool, aligning with broader trends of tech moguls entering traditional industries such as sports. As discussions continue, the outcome will likely depend on the willingness of all parties to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.