Liverpool FC has reportedly been valued at £5.5bn by a consortium of new investors, which includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. This valuation comes as the consortium acquires a 38 per cent stake in the club, marking a significant, albeit partial, exit for Fenway Sports Group.
Fenway Sports Group, which initially took over the club 16 years ago for £300m, will remain in overall control. The investment consortium is led by Amit Bhatia, son-in-law of Lakshmi Mittal, with Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin also a member.
The new investors are not guaranteed to enhance on-pitch performances, as Liverpool's spending on players is restricted by Premier League and UEFA financial rules. Any growth in the squad budget would depend on the club expanding its revenue streams with the input of the new co-owners.
This deal follows other high-value sporting asset sales, including the Seattle Seahawks for a reported £7bn and the LA Lakers for £9.2bn. The reported £5.5bn valuation for Liverpool suggests that £5bn is becoming an entry ticket for top-end Premier League assets.