Amit Bhatia, co-owner of Queens Park Rangers until last month, transferred his stake to 1892 Holdings, a consortium including Jeff Bezos and Eduardo Saverin, which plans to acquire a 38% stake in Liverpool FC. The investment, rumored to exceed £1.9 billion, will grant Bhatia a vice-chair role on the club's board. While Fenway Sports Group retains operational control, the consortium's influence remains uncertain. This follows a trend of billionaires investing in soccer clubs, driven by their lucrative revenue streams and loyal fanbases. Real Madrid and Barcelona generated over $1 billion annually, while Liverpool, Manchester City, PSG, and Bayern Munich each earned more than $90 million. However, ownership often risks public backlash, as seen with the Glazer family's leveraged buyout of Manchester United, which led to years of financial strain and fan resentment. Despite this, the Glazers reportedly secured £1.5 billion in profits through share sales. Similarly, Mike Ashley's ownership of Newcastle United saw a £197m profit upon sale, though fans criticized underinvestment and mismanagement. Roman Abramovic's £2 billion investment in Chelsea transformed the club into a Premier League powerhouse, though his reputation remains intact among fans.
Transfers
Billionaires' Soccer Investments: Bezos, Saverin, and Bhatia's Liverpool Stake
Billionaires Jeff Bezos, Eduardo Saverin, and Amit Bhatia are investing in Liverpool FC via 1892 Holdings, which aims to acquire a 38% stake. The move highlights the financial allure of top-tier soccer clubs despite risks to reputations and club identities.
