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1892 Holdings gains option to become Liverpool majority owner
The Anfield club is valued at about £5.5bn after 1892 bought a 38% stake for just over £2bn.
1892 Holdings, the investor that bought a 38% stake in Liverpool, has first refusal rights that could let it become the club’s majority shareholder within the next 12 months if Fenway Sports Group chooses to sell or reduce its holding, according to Guardian Business.
The consortium behind 1892, led by Amit Bhatia and including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, was believed to have acquired 30% to one-third of the club at the time of the deal announcement, though the agreement is specifically for 38%. Guardian Business said the stake purchase values Liverpool at roughly £5.5bn.
Liverpool is valued at around £5.5bn after 1892 Holdings paid just over £2bn to Fenway Sports Group for the minority position. FSG said the transaction was not part of an exit strategy from the club it bought for £300m in 2010 and is not required to sell more to the consortium later.
Under the terms, however, Guardian Business reports that if FSG decides to sell or cut its shareholding during the next year, 1892 has the option to buy a controlling stake. FSG remains in operational control, while Bezos is described as a passive investor via the K5 Sports fund, and Bryan Baum is set to take a seat on an expanded Liverpool board as vice chair alongside Bhatia, with Elaine Saverin also joining the board.