Jeff Bezos in talks to join Liverpool ownership bid

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is in discussions about joining an investment consortium aiming to acquire a significant minority stake in Liverpool FC, in what could become one of the biggest investment deals in Premier League history.

The consortium is led by businessman Amit Bhatia, the former vice-chairman and co-owner of Queens Park Rangers, and has tabled a provisional offer worth £1.35 billion for approximately 30% of Liverpool Football Club from the club's owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG).

The proposed investment values Liverpool at around £4.5 billion, underlining the club's continued commercial strength and global appeal.

Sources familiar with the negotiations indicate that Bezos would become an equity investor if he joins the consortium, although discussions remain at an early stage and no agreement has been finalized.

Forbes estimates Bezos’ personal fortune at more than $250 billion, making him one of the wealthiest people in the world.

The 62-year-old has previously explored investments in American professional sports, including bids for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, but has never before pursued ownership in an English Premier League club.

Bezos currently serves as Executive Chairman of Amazon after stepping down as the company's chief executive in 2021.

During his tenure, Amazon significantly expanded its presence in sports broadcasting through Prime Video, acquiring rights to the Premier League, UEFA Champions League in several European markets, NFL games in the United States and other major sporting events.

To strengthen the proposed Liverpool bid, Bhatia is also believed to have secured financial backing from his father-in-law, Indian steel billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, whose family ranks among the wealthiest in the United Kingdom.

Bhatia recently transferred his shares in Queens Park Rangers to fellow shareholder Ruben Gnanalingam, clearing the way for his involvement in a potential Liverpool investment.

Fenway Sports Group has confirmed that discussions are taking place but stressed that they concern a strategic minority investment rather than a full sale of the club.

Liverpool have been owned by Fenway Sports Group (FSG) since October 2010, when the American sports investment company purchased the club from former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

FSG is led by principal owner John W. Henry, while Tom Werner serves as chairman and Mike Gordon oversees football operations as president of FSG.

In 2023, FSG sold a minority stake of approximately 3% in Liverpool to the U.S.-based private equity firm Dynasty Equity to help finance infrastructure projects and support the club’s long-term growth strategy. 

FSG has repeatedly maintained that Liverpool is not for sale, but has remained open to welcoming strategic investors capable of supporting the club's ambitions on and off the pitch.

Should Bhatia’s consortium complete the proposed purchase, it would represent the largest minority investment in Liverpool’s history and introduce one of the world’s richest businessmen into the ownership structure of one of football’s most successful clubs.

The deal would also reinforce the growing trend of global billionaires and investment groups targeting elite Premier League clubs, whose commercial revenues, worldwide fan bases and increasing franchise values continue to attract major international investors.