Bezos Invests in Liverpool FC
· investing
Billionaires at the Beautiful Game: Why American Moguls Are Investing Heavily in English Soccer
Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder and the world’s fourth-richest person, is reportedly considering a deal to invest in Liverpool Football Club. This potential investment would value the club at over $6 billion, making it one of the most valuable teams in the world. The news highlights the growing trend of American billionaires investing in English soccer.
The phenomenon is not new; half of the Premier League’s 20 clubs are already owned by Americans. The Glazer family took control of Manchester United in 2005, while billionaire Randy Lerner purchased Aston Villa soon after. More recently, auto-parts billionaire Shahid Khan bought Fulham in 2013, and billionaire Todd Boehly and private-equity firm Clearlake Capital acquired Chelsea in 2022.
American moguls are drawn to English soccer because it offers a more affordable entry point compared to investing in an NFL franchise. The average NFL team is valued at over $7 billion, with some teams selling for as much as $9.6 billion. By contrast, even a minority stake in Liverpool would value the entire team at just over $6 billion.
English soccer clubs have become cash-generating machines, raking in massive revenue from television rights, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. The Premier League’s 20 clubs combined for a record £6.8 billion in revenue last season, despite 14 of them reporting losses. Liverpool stands out as an outlier, bringing in a record £703 million in revenue during the 2024-2025 season and reporting an after-tax profit.
The appeal of English soccer to American investors lies in its massive global fan base. With 26 million supporters in the United States alone, Liverpool has one of the largest followings in the world. Investing in the club would provide a stake in one of the most recognizable brands in global sports for a fraction of Bezos’ $243 billion fortune.
The influx of American investment raises questions about the future of English soccer. Will it lead to more money pouring into the sport, potentially changing its dynamics and power structures? Or will it create tensions between owners and fans, as has been seen in other sports leagues?
Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan notes that there is a “huge opportunity” still available in English soccer. However, as the stakes grow higher, so do the questions about what this means for the future of the sport.
Reader Views
- MFMorgan F. · financial advisor
The Bezos bid for Liverpool is just the latest example of American billionaires capitalizing on English soccer's growing financial muscle. What's striking about this trend is how little attention is paid to the impact these foreign investors have on club finances and fan ownership. While valuations may seem astronomical, they obscure a more pressing issue: the erosion of control among local stakeholders. As investment grows, so does the potential for American moguls to dictate Liverpool's financial priorities over those of its community-driven supporters.
- TLThe Ledger Desk · editorial
While American billionaires may see English soccer as a lucrative investment, they'd do well to remember that fan loyalty is fleeting and can be easily bought out by deeper pockets. Liverpool's reported 26 million supporters in the US are undoubtedly a tempting prospect, but what happens when Bezos' Amazon-branded jerseys start flooding the market? Will Reds fans still wear the coveted red jersey if it's stamped with an "Amazon" logo? The line between revenue and authenticity is thinning, and it remains to be seen how much Liverpool's values will bend under American ownership.
- LVLin V. · long-term investor
Bezos investing in Liverpool is another symptom of a larger trend: American billionaires swooping in on English soccer teams for their financial muscle and global appeal. But what about debt? Many Premier League clubs are operating with crippling loan balances, which could become a major concern if investment money doesn't come with long-term financial discipline. Bezos may be willing to play the game of investing in Liverpool's brand recognition, but it won't take much for him to realize that soccer is as much about managing finances as it is about scoring goals.