Liverpool investment deal includes routes to full ownership
Liverpool’s prospective investor 1892 Holdings has options to increase its proposed 38% stake to approximately 69% or pursue a full takeover, according to The Athletic.
The consortium buying a minority stake in Liverpool could ultimately take control of the club or acquire it outright under the structure of its agreement with Fenway Sports Group.According to The Athletic, 1892 Holdings has at least two options to increase its investment after receiving approval from the Independent Football Regulator. These could take its holding to approximately 69% or potentially lead to a complete buyout.The group, led and managed by Amit Bhatia, has agreed to acquire an initial 38% stake in a transaction worth more than £2 billion. Completion remains subject to regulatory approval and other closing conditions.FSG announced the minority investment agreement on August 14, confirming that it would retain majority ownership and operational control. The announcement did not disclose the stake size, transaction value or Liverpool’s valuation.Subsequent reporting put the consortium’s proposed holding at approximately 38%, valuing Liverpool at around £5.5 billion. FSG bought the club for £300 million in 2010.The Athletic’s latest report adds detail to earlier accounts of a mechanism allowing 1892 Holdings to pursue majority ownership within 12 months. However, the options do not constitute a commitment to buy further shares, and neither a controlling investment nor a full acquisition has been announced as an agreed transaction.The Guardian previously reported that the consortium had first refusal should FSG decide to sell control, while stressing that the existing owner was under no obligation to dispose of additional shares.1892 Holdings brings together investments from Bhatia and the Mittal Family Trusts, K5 Sports and EE Capital, the family office of Elaine and Eduardo Saverin.K5 Sports, a K5 Global fund with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos as its lead investor, will initially be the largest investor in the consortium, according to The Athletic. That position relates to its investment within 1892 Holdings rather than a separately disclosed direct stake in Liverpool.Bhatia previously spent almost 18 years as a senior ownership figure at Queens Park Rangers. Proposed Liverpool board appointments reported in August included Bhatia as vice-chairman, alongside Elaine Saverin and K5 Global’s Bryan Baum. Bezos was described as a passive investor without a board role.The initial investment would establish a substantial new shareholder alongside FSG, while the reported options provide a potential route to a broader ownership transition.FSG is also examining investment opportunities elsewhere in sport. The Athletic reported this week that the group is among the bidders seeking a stake in the Cadillac Formula 1 team, which has a valuation exceeding US$3 billion. Its existing interests include the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins and RFK Racing.