Amazon founder and billionaire Jeff Bezos is reportedly part of a consortium closing in on a deal to acquire a minority stake in Liverpool Football Club.
The consortium, led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia, also includes Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin. The group is expected to acquire just over 30% of the Premier League club, which is majority-owned by Fenway Sports Group (FSG).
According to reports, FSG is preparing to announce details of the investment later this week.
The proposed deal would value Liverpool at around $6 billion, putting the club’s valuation on a similar level to major American sports franchises such as the Boston Celtics and Miami Dolphins.
If completed, the investment would make Bezos one of the high-profile co-owners of Liverpool and mark his first major involvement in football. Saverin previously participated in an unsuccessful bid to acquire Chelsea.
The consortium’s investment is expected to provide additional financial backing as Liverpool seeks to maintain its position among the leading clubs in English and European football.
Bezos, one of the world’s wealthiest businessmen, founded Amazon in 1994. He also owns aerospace company Blue Origin and investment firm Nash Holdings, which owns The Washington Post.
Bhatia, 46, is an entrepreneur with an investment banking background and currently heads AyBe Capital, an investment firm with interests across technology, media, property, consumer retail and healthcare.
He is married to Vanisha Mittal Bhatia, daughter of Indian billionaire businessman Lakshmi Mittal.
Forbes estimates Bezos’ fortune at about $281 billion, placing him among the world’s richest individuals.
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