Liverpool deal with Bezos consortium raises stakes in US battle for Premier League power

Liverpool's decision to sell a minority stake to a consortium of financial heavyweights, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, marks the latest escalation in the rivalry for supremacy among American owners in the Premier League. Just four months after Arsenal's triumph under the ownership of US billionaire Stan Kroenke, Liverpool's leadership has opted for outside investment to reclaim the top spot.

With the cash from the sale of around a third of the club to Bezos, Liverpool aims to topple Arsenal and secure a record 21st English title. Other American-owned clubs in the Premier League include Manchester United, majority-owned by the Glazers, and Chelsea, whose ownership group is led by Todd Boehly. Aston Villa, who won the Europa League last season, is among six Premier League clubs with American ownership stakes.

The US-centric Premier League competition has resulted in significant increases in the valuations of England's top clubs, providing their owners with substantial returns on their initial investments. Liverpool, valued between £5 billion and £6 billion following Friday's deal with the star-studded consortium, is reportedly one of the world's most iconic sports brands.

The club's value has been growing steadily, with the Reds becoming the top-earning Premier League club for the first time this year, generating record revenues of £703 million for the 2024-25 financial year. Bezos, the fourth-richest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $256 billion, is the most prominent figure in the consortium, making the deal particularly intriguing and prompting speculation about the future plans of Liverpool's owners.