It’s been revealed that the Amit Bhatia-led consortium which has recently invested in Liverpool Football Club purchased a significantly larger stake than initially reported.
The Merseyside club confirmed last Friday that current owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) had sold a minority stake to 1892 Holdings, with The Athletic reporting that sources with knowledge of the transaction estimated the purchase to have been approximately 30%.
However, the same outlet has now indicated that the consortium – which also includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin – has actually bought a much larger share in LFC.
How much of Liverpool FC does 1892 Holdings now own?
On Tuesday lunchtime, The Athletic reported that FSG sold 38% of Liverpool FC to 1892 Holdings, as confirmed to the publication by sources with knowledge of the deal, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Initial suggestions on both sides of the transaction had initially indicated that the stake purchased was closer to the 30%-33.3% bracket.
The consortium also has the option to buy a controlling stake in LFC in the next 12 months, although this doesn’t constitute a formal commitment on their part to do so, and FSG retain operational control of the club for the time being.
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A full takeover from 1892 Holdings now seems even more likely
Although this revelation doesn’t alter the fact that Liverpool FC remains under the control of FSG, the near-40% stake that 1892 Holdings purchased feels even more significant, with the consortium not far away from an overall majority share.
Last Friday’s bombshell news has raised multiple questions from many Reds supporters, with fan group Spirit of Shankly writing to the club to voice a few concerns as to whether due diligence has been undertaken on the new investors, and what their motivations are to invest in LFC.
Today’s reports will likely amplify the theory that 1892 Holdings intend to ultimately gain majority control of the club and supplant John Henry and co as the primary decision-makers at Anfield, which is a legitimate cause for concern for the fan base.
No matter how deep the pockets or grandiose the plans of Bhatia, Bezos and Saverin might be, it’s crucial that if they were to assume operational control from FSG, their actions are undertaken with the best interests of the club and its supporters at heart.
In an era of unprecedented capitalism in football, loyal long-serving fans are at risk of being priced out of the game they love due to unsustainable price rises, and there are also justifiable worries about the proud socialist ethos of Liverpool being eroded by those involved in the consortium.
It seems as though this minority investment will ultimately morph into a full takeover, in which case we can only hope that 1892 Holdings will run the club in a manner which brings success on the pitch whilst also maintaining long-held principles off it.