Jeff Bezos Reportedly in Talks to Acquire Stake in Liverpool FC
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is reportedly in negotiations to acquire his first-ever stake in a professional sports franchise, targeting the prominent English Premier League soccer club Liverpool FC. According to a report from The Guardian, Bezos is looking to join a growing list of wealthy American investors who have acquired stakes in United Kingdom soccer teams.
Bezos is reportedly pursuing the investment alongside a group that includes Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin. The group is seeking to acquire at least a 30% stake in Liverpool FC, valuing the club at £1.35 billion, which equates to approximately $1.8 billion. While the transaction is valued at this rate for the stake, Forbes reports that the overall valuation of Liverpool FC stands at around $6 billion, making it one of the most valuable sports franchises in Europe.
Details of the Proposed Investment
If the transaction is finalized, it will mark the first direct sports investment for Bezos, whose net worth is currently estimated at around $280 billion. Although the billionaire has previously explored purchasing a stake in an American football team, he has not previously closed a deal in the sports industry.
The potential acquisition comes as Bezos increasingly establishes himself as a prominent cultural figure, particularly following his marriage to former news anchor and television host Lauren Sánchez. Additionally, Bezos' business interests have previously intersected with European soccer, as Amazon has secured streaming rights for certain European soccer leagues in past years.
The Trend of American Ownership in English Soccer
The interest from Bezos and Saverin aligns with a broader trend of American billionaires and celebrities investing in English football. Earlier this year, an analysis by Sky Sports revealed that 13 out of the 20 clubs in the Premier League, the top tier of English soccer, have American shareholders.
Several high-profile American business figures have already secured ownership positions in the league. Todd Boehly and Mark Walters, who also own the LA Dodgers and LA Lakers, acquired Chelsea FC. Meanwhile, New York Jets co-owner and former United States Ambassador to the U.K. Woody Johnson holds a stake in Crystal Palace, Dan Friedkin has taken a stake in Everton, and Bill Foley led an investment group that purchased Bournemouth.
This wave of investment extends to prominent cultural and athletic figures. Actor Ryan Reynolds famously co-owns Wrexham, while actor Michael B. Jordan was part of the investment group that acquired Bournemouth. Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady holds a minority stake in Birmingham City, and actor Will Ferrell, NBA player Russell Westbrook, and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps hold minority stakes in Leeds United.
Industry analysts attribute this influx of American capital to the growing popularity of soccer in the United States. Furthermore, major American sports franchises in leagues such as the NFL and MLB are often either prohibitively expensive or closed to new buyers, making Premier League clubs a more accessible entry point for sports ownership.
Bezos' Expanding Presence in the United Kingdom
Beyond the potential sports investment, Bezos is also expanding his business footprint within the United Kingdom. His new artificial intelligence company, Prometheus, is reportedly in negotiations to sign a lease for office space in King's Cross, London, which serves as a major hub for the artificial intelligence industry in the country.
