Bezos stepped down as CEO of Amazon five years ago but remains one of the company’s biggest shareholders.
He also owns aerospace company Blue Origin, venture capital firm Nash Holdings and the Washington Post. More recently he created Prometheus, an artificial intelligence company which last month invested £330m in a British AI start-up.
As if to underline the scale of his financial resources, only last week he filed to sell 15 million of his remaining Amazon shares with a market value of about £3.1bn – double the value of the consortium’s offer for a stake in Liverpool.
Bezos has been linked with sports investment for some time, but usually American sports franchises which are either more expensive or not open to offers.
He was reportedly interested in the Seattle Seahawks, who were sold for £7.3bn, external recently. The Washington Commanders, another NFL franchise said to be of interest, were sold for £4.6bn in 2023.
Buying a stake in Liverpool would give the 62-year-old a slice of one of the most iconic global sports brands for a small fraction of his fortune.
But would Liverpool be a status symbol or a true investment?
It is not as if Liverpool are unknown in the United States, either. Research company GWI has reported that Liverpool have 26 million supporters in the US, and the fastest-growing fan base.
It is no surprise, then, that the Reds had their pre-season tour in the States.
The deal would continue a theme of US investment into the Premier League, with 11 of the 20 teams this season having majority control from America – Liverpool included.
That’s not to mention Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac – formerly known as Rob McElhenney – at Wrexham, and Tom Brady’s Birmingham, in the Championship.
FSG bought into Liverpool at the most opportune time, with the club struggling financially.
But even at this point Hogan says there is “a huge opportunity still” to invest in “the biggest and most popular sport in the world”.
It taps into the reason why US money continues to pour into the English game – namely prestige, and the chance to grow not just in this country but around the world too.
Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, who is reported to be worth $32bn (£23.7bn), is also involved is the consortium.
Then there is Amit Bhatia, who had been a director and co-owner of Queens Park Rangers for the last 18 years until he relinquished his ownership stake in the Championship club on 21 July.
It is against Football Association regulations to have a substantial interest in more than one club, so the timing of Bhatia’s move appeared to confirm he is involved in the Liverpool deal.
Hogan has suggested there is no prospect of FSG entertaining a full sale of the club, but Maguire believes if the initial investment goes well, that could change.
“If Bezos et al like the kudos and attention that part owning as big a brand as Liverpool brings,” Maguire said. “Then a full acquisition becomes a possibility, if the price is right.”
