Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in talks to join bid for – Business News
Billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has held talks about becoming a member of a bid for a 30% stake in Liverpool FC, one of essentially the most profitable soccer golf equipment in England, in accordance to a report.
The consortium Bezos is taking a look at is led by Amit Bhatia, the previous co-owner of Queens Park Rangers, and has already made a provisional offer of 1.35 billion kilos, or roughly $1.8 billion, to buy a stake from Fenway Sports Group, the Guardian reported.
The deal would worth the membership at an estimated $6 billion, in accordance to the report – more than the roughly $1.65 billion Sir Jim Ratcliffe paid to buy a almost 30% stake in Manchester United two years in the past.
Billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has reportedly held talks about becoming a member of a bid for a 30% stake in Liverpool FC. REUTERS
The Bhatia-led group is speaking to different potential buyers because it seeks more funding for the deal, the Guardian reported.
A spokesperson for FSG confirmed that an investment consortium led by Bhatia has expressed curiosity in a strategic minority investment in Liverpool FC, although the group didn’t touch upon whether or not Bezos is concerned.
Amazon didn’t instantly reply to The Post’s request for remark.
It wouldn’t be the primary time the world’s fourth-richest individual regarded for methods to break into sports activities crew possession. He beforehand explored bids for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders with out finishing a deal.
The Liverpool talks mark the primary time Bezos, 62 – who’s price $252.6 billion, in accordance to Forbes – confirmed curiosity in taking a stake in the Premier League, identified for its huge viewership, wealth and passionate English fanbase.
Members of a new era of wealth – those that made their riches earlier than getting concerned in sports activities franchises – have been shopping for up stakes in multi-billion greenback groups.
Liverpool FC is one of essentially the most profitable golf equipment in England. CameraSport by way of Getty Images
Billionaire Frenchman Bernard Arnault, 77, and his household, who own luxurious firm LVMH, purchased a majority stake in Paris FC in a deal valuing the soccer membership at an estimated $100 million.
Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer purchased the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion in 2014 whereas Walmart inheritor Rob Walton paid a whopping $4.65 billion for the Denver Broncos in 2022.
More lately, tech billionaire Vinod Khosla and his household have reportedly reached a deal to buy the Seattle Seahawks for $9.6 billion – one of the most important valuations ever for a sports activities crew.
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As the consortium throughout the pond searches for contemporary investments, Bhatia has allegedly secured his financial backing from his father-in-law, Lakshmi Mittal – an Indian steel-and-mining magnate price more than $30 billion, in accordance to the Guardian.
On Tuesday, Bhatia stepped down because the director and co-owner of Queens Park Rangers, transferring his shares to fellow proprietor Ruben Gnanalingam to put together for his consortium’s Liverpool bid, the report mentioned.
Fenway Sports Group offered 3% of Liverpool to private-equity firm Dynasty Equity in 2023.
Bezos presently serves as the manager chair of Amazon after stepping down from the CEO position 5 years in the past.
In current years, Amazon has ramped up its buy of sports activities rights for its streaming service, Amazon Prime.
It owned dwell UK rights to 20 Premier League video games every season for six seasons till the top of final 12 months. It additionally airs the Champions League throughout Europe and NFL video games in the US.
