LONDON: A consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has reached a definitive agreement to buy a minority stake in Liverpool, the English Premier League (EPL) club’s owner, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), said on Friday.
Sources familiar with the matter said the stake was around a third, while British media reported the transaction value was more than 1.5 billion pounds, thus valuing Liverpool at more than 5 billion pounds.
FSG, which bought Liverpool in 2010 for 300 million pounds, will remain the majority shareholder and retain control of the club’s operations.
The consortium, known as 1892 Holdings, is led by former Queens Park Rangers chairman Amit Bhatia and also includes Mittal Family Trusts, EE Capital and the K5 Sports fund, in which Bezos is a major investor.
“As we explored this opportunity, it was clear that Amit and the consortium shared our long-term philosophy and appreciated what makes Liverpool so special.
“Their experience and perspective will complement the strong foundation already in place and we look forward to working together,” FSG president Mike Gordon said in a statement.
Bhatia will be appointed as the club’s new vice-chairman and joins an expanded board of directors alongside Elaine Saverin of EE Capital and Bryan Baum of K5 Sports.
However, Bezos will not hold a seat on the board of directors, according to the source.
“Being a partner in a club of this status is a great honor.
“We are making this investment because we have great confidence in Liverpool and its leadership, and we look forward to helping the club continue its success for years to come,” said Bhatia.
Liverpool, who share the record of 20 English champions, finished the EPL last season in fifth place. They will open their new campaign against Newcastle United on August 23.