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Jeff Bezos-led investor group to buy stake in FC Liverpool
๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Germany /Economy & Trade

Jeff Bezos-led investor group to buy stake in FC Liverpool

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • An investor group including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is set to acquire a minority stake in the English football club FC Liverpool.
  • The deal involves the Fenway Sports Group selling 30% of the club's shares for an estimated 1.5 to 1.8 billion euros.
  • Fan groups have expressed concerns about potential changes in club management and operations following the investment.

An investment group, spearheaded by Amit Bhatia and including tech billionaires Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, is poised to acquire a minority stake in the renowned English football club, FC Liverpool. The club announced that a "definitive agreement" has been reached for the sale of a portion of "1892 Holdings," the entity that owns the club.

The current owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), are reportedly set to receive between 1.5 and 1.8 billion euros for approximately 30% of their shares, according to BBC reports. This significant investment marks a new chapter for the Merseyside club, which has a rich history and a passionate global fanbase.

However, the move has been met with apprehension by some supporters. The fan association "Spirit of Shankly" voiced concerns, citing experiences at other clubs where similar sales led to substantial shifts in leadership and football operations. They expressed a desire to avoid decisions and behaviors that many Liverpool fans would find undesirable, highlighting a tension between the club's commercial future and its traditional identity.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.