Liverpool fans thought they already knew the size of this deal. They were wrong. New reporting confirms that Fenway Sports Group actually sold a stake in Liverpool FC closer to 40 percent to the Amit Bhatia-led 1892 Holdings consortium, a significantly larger chunk of the club than the 30 percent figure that dominated headlines when the deal was first announced. This is not a minor correction. It reshapes the entire conversation about who really controls Anfield’s future.
The Numbers Behind the Headline
According to The Athletic, FSG sold 38 percent of Liverpool to 1892 Holdings, confirmed by sources with direct knowledge of the transaction. Sky Sports News has independently verified the same figure, stating the stake sits closer to 40 percent rather than the 30 to 33.3 percent bracket first reported when the agreement was announced. That is a meaningful gap. A 38 percent stake puts the consortium within touching distance of a controlling interest, especially when paired with the option already built into the deal.
Why the Gap Matters
Buried inside the original agreement is a clause allowing 1892 Holdings to purchase a controlling stake in Liverpool within the next 12 months. That option does not guarantee a full takeover, but a near-40 percent starting position makes the path to majority ownership dramatically shorter than fans were initially led to believe. Sources close to the deal have valued a full club sale at more than eight billion dollars if the option were ever exercised.
Who Is Actually Behind 1892 Holdings
The consortium is led by Amit Bhatia, the former Queens Park Rangers co-owner, who becomes Liverpool’s vice-chairman under the new arrangement.
The group also includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, whose stake marks his first-ever investment in a professional sports team, alongside
Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin and his wife Elaine through their EE Capital family office, plus the Mittal Family Trusts. Bezos is investing through K5 Sports and, notably, is not expected to take a seat on Liverpool’s board, with his interests represented instead by Bryan Baum.
FSG’s Position, For Now
FSG has been quick to stress that operational control remains unchanged. Club president Mike Gordon said the investment was made with Liverpool’s long-term interests at heart, framing Bhatia and the consortium as sharing FSG’s philosophy for the club. FSG bought Liverpool for 300 million pounds back in 2010, and even this partial sale represents an enormous windfall, with reports suggesting the transaction values the club north of seven billion dollars.
What This Means for Supporters
The revised percentage has understandably reignited concern among the Liverpool fanbase. Supporters group Spirit of Shankly has already pushed for transparency around the deal, questioning due diligence on the new investors and whether this arrangement is really a stepping stone toward a full sale of the club. With 1892 Holdings now sitting closer to 40 percent and holding an option to go further within a year, those questions carry even more weight than they did a week ago.
For now, FSG remains in charge and the day-to-day running of Liverpool continues as normal. But the gap between what fans were first told and what has now been confirmed is a reminder that this ownership story is still being written, and the next chapter could arrive faster than anyone expected.
