What Does the Deal Mean for FSG?
When Fenway Sports Group (FSG) bought Liverpool in 2010, the club was on the brink of bankruptcy. Since then, FSG has invested heavily in the club, including building a new training ground and redeveloping the stadium. The proposed sale of 30% would mean FSG received £1.35bn, with the club valued at £4.5bn - 13 times what it was worth in 2010.
"It's a great deal for FSG," football finance expert Kieran Maguire told BBC Sport. "They generate more than £1bn from the deal and still keep control - this represents the best of both worlds." The deal would be a straight share sale by FSG to the new group, with no financial implications for the club itself.
The Bezos Factor: Why is He Investing in Sport?
Jeff Bezos has been linked with potential investments in several sports teams in recent years, but Liverpool would represent his first confirmed deal. 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.
Bezos has been investing in sports for some time, but usually American sports franchises which are either more expensive or not open to offers. 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.
What Do Fans Think of Bezos' Involvement?
Liverpool fans consider the club to have a specific set of values, centred around its working-class roots. When FSG attempted to raise season ticket prices last season, fans' group Spirit of Shankly (SOS) launched a campaign called 'Not a Pound in the Ground'. It urged fans to buy food and drink from local businesses in the Anfield area rather than inside the stadium.
SOS has doubts about the proposed investment and has raised a number of concerns. "We would like to know what the buying consortium will get in return for their 30% stake," an SOS spokesperson told BBC Sport. "Specifically, what would be the level of involvement in the control of the club and will they take a seat or seats on the board?"
The Premier League's Squad Cost Ratio Rules
The Premier League's Squad Cost Ratio financial rules mean supporters should not expect Liverpool to start spending a lot more on transfer fees. Funds to spend on transfers are directly related to income generated via commercial activities rather than an owner's wealth.
"It's not as if Liverpool are unknown in the United States, either," said Maguire. "Research company GWI has reported that Liverpool have 26 million supporters in the US, and the fastest-growing fan base." 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.
What's Next for Liverpool?
The proposed sale of 30% would put Liverpool in a very strong position financially, but it's unclear what implications it would have on the team's spending power. The deal could be a straight share sale by FSG to the new group, with no financial implications for the club itself.
If the initial investment goes well, it could change the dynamics of the club's ownership. "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."
The investment would put Liverpool in a very strong position financially, but it wouldn't necessarily make a marked difference to their spending power. It's unclear what implications it would have on the team's spending power, but it's clear that the deal would be a significant development for the club.