Liverpool: FSG sells 38 to 40% of shares to a consortium backed by Jeff Bezos

Fenway Sports Group has sold roughly 38 to 40% of Liverpool's shares to 1892 Holdings, a consortium led by Amit Bhatia and including Eduardo Saverin. The deal is backed by K5 Sports, a fund linked to Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.

Bezos will not sit on the club's board. Bryan Baum, a partner of Bezos and founder of K5 Sports, along with Elaine Saverin, wife of Eduardo Saverin, will instead take seats on it. Amit Bhatia will serve as vice-chairman.

The agreement includes an option allowing 1892 Holdings to become the majority shareholder within twelve months, with no obligation to exercise it.

Bezos's presence, without a board seat

The name that gives the deal its headline will not, however, appear in the club's governing bodies. This is the classic pattern of American financial structures: capital and influence flow through investment vehicles, here K5 Sports, without the best-known face directly exposing himself to sporting governance.

According to BBC Sport, the deal would value Liverpool between £5 and £6 billion, compared with £300 million when FSG took over in 2010. The gap reflects sixteen years of commercial and sporting development, but remains an estimate reported by that outlet, not an official figure confirmed by the parties.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire, quoted by BBC Sport, estimates that FSG would generate more than £1 billion from this sale while retaining control of the club. The structure would therefore allow it to pocket a significant share of the capital gain without giving up decision-making power.

What supporters want to know

Jay McKenna, chair of the Spirit of Shankly supporters' union, has said he wants clarification from FSG and the new investors on whether this change of ownership is guaranteed or not. His question focuses specifically on the takeover option: is it a right acquired by 1892 Holdings, or merely a possibility that nothing obliges them to activate.

According to BBC Sport, the motivation behind the deal goes beyond a financial investment: it would aim to help Liverpool expand its presence in business, technology and investment on a global scale, particularly in India and Asia.

The twelve-month option sets the next milestone. Until then, Liverpool remains under FSG's control, with a new minority shareholder whose stake could become a majority as early as next summer.