Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is in discussions to acquire an equity stake in Liverpool FC, joining an investment consortium that has made a \u00a31.35 billion ($1.8 billion) bid for a minority share in the English club.<\/p>\n
The prospective takeover group, headed by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia, is seeking to purchase approximately 30% of the team from current majority owner Fenway Sports Group. If completed, the transaction would value the six-time European champion at approximately \u00a34.5 billion ($6 billion). Bhatia, who spent 18 years as co-owner of Queens Park Rangers, has been gathering backer support to finance the acquisition.<\/p>\n
For Bezos, who ranks as the world’s fourth-wealthiest individual with a net worth of $267 billion, the negotiations mark his initial step toward European football ownership. The 62-year-old tech founder previously explored purchasing National Football League franchises, including the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Commanders, though neither interest resulted in a formal purchase offer.<\/p>\n
If finalized, the agreement would expand American financial involvement at Anfield. Principal owner John W. Henry and his Fenway Sports Group bought Liverpool in 2010 for \u00a3300 million\u2014then roughly $400 million\u2014rescuing the club from former American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. Over the subsequent decade and a half, the club’s financial footprint expanded dramatically, with recent valuations placing the franchise at more than $6 billion according to estimates published by Forbes<\/a>.<\/p>\n The ongoing talks highlight a broader shift of American capital moving into European sports assets. High-profile international transactions have reshaped the governance of top-tier English football over the past two decades. Property mogul Stanley Kroenke gradually accumulated control of Arsenal starting with a minority share in 2007 before consolidating complete ownership in 2018 through an estimated $1 billion outlay. Arsenal has since grown into a $5.4 billion asset, achieving runner-up finishes in the Premier League for three consecutive seasons.<\/p>\n In 2022, an investor group led by Eldridge Industries chief executive Todd Boehly purchased Chelsea F.C. for \u00a34.25 billion ($5.2 billion) following the forced departure of Russian owner Roman Abramovich.<\/p>\n The influx of North American investment extends beyond elite English top-flight teams. Actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney acquired lower-tier Welsh side Wrexham A.F.C. in 2020 for \u00a32 million ($2.5 million). Supported by international media exposure and consecutive promotions, Wrexham recently climbed into the English Championship after a four-decade absence.<\/p>\n