Liverpool Lands a New Billionaire Backer

A Jeff Bezos-backed group bought a large minority stake in Liverpool Football Club, marking one of sports’ biggest private deals to date.

Story Highlights

  • Fenway Sports Group sold a strategic minority stake in Liverpool to a consortium led by Amit Bhatia.
  • Reports place the stake around one-third, with some saying closer to 40 percent.
  • Fenway Sports Group remains the majority owner and in control of the club.
  • Outlets value the club at roughly $6 billion to more than $7 billion in the transaction.

Consortium Buys Significant Minority Stake

Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool’s owner, confirmed it sold a minority stake in the club to a group represented by investor Amit Bhatia and backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, according to multiple outlets. Sky Sports and Bloomberg reported the stake at roughly one-third, with some reports placing it closer to 40 percent. CNBC said the investment landed between 30 percent and one-third, underscoring the size and significance of the deal.

Media accounts placed Liverpool’s valuation between about $6 billion and more than $7 billion, reflecting the premium value of a top Premier League brand. ESPN reported that Fenway Sports Group remains the majority owner, emphasizing that this is not a takeover but a capital infusion. Sky Sports similarly characterized the purchase as a strategic minority stake rather than a change of control.

Who Is Involved And How It Is Structured

The investment vehicle has been identified as 1892 Holdings, led by Amit Bhatia, with Jeff Bezos linked through the K5 Sports fund in several reports. Some accounts also mention Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin among the participants, signaling a deep-pocketed group focused on long-term sports investments. While outlets vary on exact titles and roles, the consistent through line is that Bezos is a member of the buying consortium, not a sole owner.

Fenway Sports Group’s approach fits a pattern it set in 2023, when it sold a small minority stake in Liverpool to Dynasty Equity to strengthen finances and fund projects. That earlier deal showed Fenway Sports Group would accept minority capital to back the stadium, training facilities, or roster plans while keeping control. Today’s larger sale follows that model at greater scale, with new investors adding cash without taking charge of club decisions.

What Changes Now For Liverpool

Reports frame this as growth capital that can support stadium work, commercial expansion, analytics, and squad investment, while keeping the current ownership in place. ESPN noted the arrangement leaves Fenway Sports Group in control, so day-to-day decisions and long-term strategy still run through the majority owner. For fans and sponsors, this means more resources without the upheaval that often comes with a full takeover, board reset, or new sporting doctrine.

Some outlets said the stake could be closer to 38 to 40 percent, but exact percentages differ across reports, which often happens before final filings surface. The core facts remain steady across respected sources: a Bezos-backed consortium, led by Amit Bhatia, bought a large minority holding; Fenway Sports Group retains control; and the valuation reflects Liverpool’s status as one of the world’s most valuable sports teams.

Sources:

insiderpaper.com, skysports.com, cnbc.com, espn.com, sports.yahoo.com, bloomberg.com, bbc.com