An Amit Bhatia-led consortium, featuring the founders of Facebook and Amazon, has completed an investment deal with Fenway Sports Group for a 30% stake in Liverpool FC, believed to be worth around £1.4 billion.
Former Queens Park Rangers director Bhatia takes on the new title of vice-chairman at Liverpool. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the consortium's most high-profile name, will not have a seat on the reconfigured board.
Board changes and key investors
Bezos, the third richest man on the planet with an estimated worth of £204 billion, is the lead investor from the K5 Sports fund in the group. Bryan Baum, managing partner of K5 Global, will represent Bezos on Liverpool's new-look board of directors.
Elaine Saverin, wife of Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, will also join the expanded Liverpool board. The Saverin family are in the consortium as part of EE Capital. Saverin, reportedly worth around £24 billion, was previously involved in a failed takeover of Chelsea in 2022.
FSG retains control
FSG retain majority ownership and operational control of the club. The Reds' long-term approach to the transfer market remains unchanged, with budget-setting continuing to be done by the club's football operations department. There is no material alteration to the day-to-day running of the club, which remains the job of FSG president Mike Gordon.
The deal comes just two months before FSG celebrate their 16th anniversary in charge. They bought Liverpool for £300 million in October 2010, ending the tenure of Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
Bhatia's role and future plans
Speaking on behalf of 1892 Holdings, Bhatia said: “We are incredibly proud to be investing in Liverpool Football Club and to be doing so alongside FSG. We have the utmost respect and admiration for FSG as owners and for everything they have achieved at Anfield. To be welcomed as a partner in a club of this stature is a huge privilege. We are making this investment because we believe deeply in Liverpool and its leadership, and we look forward to supporting the club's continued success for years to come.”
Bhatia's 19-year stint with QPR appealed hugely to FSG. He is the son-in-law of Lakshmi Mittal, executive of ArcelorMittal, one of the planet's wealthiest people with a net worth of £24 billion. FSG feel Bhatia and the Mittal Family Trusts can open the club up to new markets across India and Asia.
Boston-based sources have rubbished suggestions that the deal signals the beginning of the end for FSG as Liverpool owners, insisting the minority investment allows them more opportunities to grow the club further. Nearly 16 years after purchase, the 20-time Premier League champions are valued at £4.57 billion by Forbes. Earlier this year, the club posted revenues north of £700 million for the first time, with a post-tax profit of £8 million in its most recent financial results in February.
