Liverpool's current owners, Fenway Sports Group, are engaged in discussions with a consortium led by Amit Bhatia regarding the potential sale of a minority stake in the club. Notably, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the world's third-richest individual, has been approached to join the investor group. This development raises several key questions about the potential deal, which could be one of the most significant transactions involving a Premier League club in recent times.
Amit Bhatia, a 46-year-old British Indian entrepreneur with a background in investment banking, fronts the consortium. He currently manages AyBe Capital, a multi-asset investment firm that invests in various sectors including technology, media, real estate, and healthcare. Bhatia is married to Vanisha Mittal Bhatia, the daughter of Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal. Jeff Bezos, one of the world's most renowned businessmen and the founder of e-commerce giant Amazon, has been approached to join the consortium.
Bezos' other investments include aerospace company Blue Origin and venture capital firm Nash Holdings, the ownership vehicle for The Washington Post. His personal fortune is estimated to be around $245 billion, making him the third-richest person in the world. Bhatia's net worth is not publicly known, but his father-in-law, billionaire steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, is estimated to be worth around £23.2 billion, ranking him as the 72nd richest person globally.
Bhatia previously served as the chairman of QPR, a position he held from 2018 to 2023, and was also a director and co-owner of the club until recently. Through AyBe Capital, Bhatia invests in various ventures, including TGL, a golf league founded by Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, and Switch Hitter, a media brand founded by Kevin Pietersen. His father-in-law, Lakshmi Mittal, recently acquired a 75% stake in the Rajasthan Royals Indian Premier League cricket franchise. Bezos is a known fan of American Football and has previously explored bids for NFL teams, including the Washington Commanders and the Seattle Seahawks.
Although he does not currently hold a significant stake in any sports team, he did attend a recent World Cup match between the USA and Belgium. Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool's current owners, are not under pressure to sell but have indicated a willingness to consider new investment.
The club has enjoyed significant success under FSG's ownership, winning numerous major trophies. The potential sale of a minority stake could provide FSG with a substantial profit on their initial investment.
The exact stake that the consortium is interested in purchasing is not confirmed, but reports suggest it could be up to 30%. The valuation of the deal would depend on the size of the stake being acquired. Liverpool is currently valued at £4.7 billion by Forbes, making it the fourth most valuable club in the world. FSG maintains complete control of Liverpool, with private equity firms RedBird Capital and Arctos Sports Partners holding minority stakes in the club.
Dynasty Equity is also a passive investor in Liverpool after injecting £164 million into the club in 2023. There is no set timeframe for the deal, but it is expected to take months rather than weeks to complete.