Liverpool: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos approached to join consortium led by former QPR co-owner Amit Bhatia to buy stake in club | Football News
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has been approached to join a consortium that is in talks to buy a stake in Liverpool.
Sky News has revealed that Bezos has held discussions about joining a syndicate of investors led by former Queens Park Rangers co-owner Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of billionaire steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal.
A source cautioned that he was not certain to proceed with an investment in Liverpool FC.
The Amazon and Blue Origin tycoon, who also owns the Washington Post, is estimated by Forbes magazine to boast a fortune worth almost $257bn, making him the world’s fourth-richest man.
He has reportedly explored bids in the past for the Seattle Seahawks, this year’s Super Bowl winners, and the Washington Commanders, another NFL team, although he did not proceed with either deal.
If Bezos proceeds with an investment in Liverpool, it would still be a surprise, despite the apparently relentless influx of American money into the top flight of English football.
About half of the 20 Premier League clubs are owned by predominantly US-based investors, although one of those – Crystal Palace – is currently exploring a sale.
Others with US owners include newly crowned champions Arsenal, while Manchester United remains controlled by the Glazer family, alongside the INEOS Group founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The investment group – led by Bhatia and backed by the Mittal family – have hired advisors to work on a potential deal with current Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG).
FSG is a US-based company controlled by John Henry. The group bought the club for £300m in 2010 and also owns baseball team the Boston Red Sox.
According to the Financial Times, a deal with the consortium led by Bhatia would value Liverpool at more than $6bn (£4.5bn).
Bhatia was QPR’s co-owner until July 21, when he transferred his share of the club to Ruben Gnanalingam to pave the way for his consortium’s prospective investment in Liverpool.
An FSG spokesperson confirmed the talks to Sky Sports News, adding: “An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club.”
Sky Sports News understands that any investment from Bhatia would be similar to a deal struck with Dynasty Equity in 2023.
FSG sold a small stake in the club to the US private equity firm for £164m, with the money raised to pay down debt and help finance capital expenditure.
US private equity firm Dynasty Equity spent up to $200m (£149m) buying a stake and is a passive investor.
The investment was not used to fund future transfers.
Who is Amit Bhatia?
Amit Bhatia was QPR’s co-owner until July 21, when he transferred his share of the club to Ruben Gnanalingam.
Bhatia worked at Morgan Stanley as an investment banker for several years before becoming an entrepreneur. He has investments in construction, real estate and private equity.
Bhatia was a director and co-owner of QPR, where a stand at Loftus Road now bears his name. During his time at the club, he helped oversee a period of significant progress, with QPR earning promotion from the Championship to the Premier League in the 2010/11 season.
They spent the next four seasons between the Premier League and Championship, and were last relegated in 2014/15. The closest they have come to promotion was a ninth-place finish in the 2020/21 season.
The 46-year-old married Vanisha Mittal Bhatia in 2004. Vanisha is the daughter of Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, whose net worth is estimated to be more than £22bn.
A ‘fantastic potential investment’, but will it lead to more transfers?
Analysis from financial expert Amber Pinto:
“These types of deals are rare. This is such a robust and premium asset in the market that there is no question that it is a fantastic potential investment. The direction that FSG take will be determined in due course. It is significantly early on in proceedings to say and the devil will be in the details with this kind of deal.
“A strategic minority stake is when someone wants to take a role but not necessarily take control. Where a partner or a group believes they can add value to an existing majority or rest of the shareholder group. It’s more than just capital. It will be about on and off the pitch – commercial and operational.
“It’s about becoming a part of a sporting legacy [for Bhatia]. They will be able to have significant insight into how one of the top 30 global sports franchises are run. It will only provide more opportunities for them and the club.”
On if Liverpool could spend more money on players:
“Not necessarily. Firstly, a deal this size won’t be done over a short time frame. This will be complicated, with difficult layers to navigate as the stakeholders work through it.
“Essentially, this could lead to growth and increases in revenue that could impact the budget.”
