Former Liverpool CEO Peter Moore Says FSG May Sell Club but Dismisses Jeff Bezos Link
Key Takeaways
- •FSG is in active discussions to sell a minority stake in Liverpool FC to former QPR co-owner Amit Bhatia, with reports suggesting this could eventually lead to a full ownership exit.
- •Former CEO Peter Moore pointed to the ages of FSG principals John Henry and Tom Werner, both in their mid-70s, as a likely factor driving potential succession planning.
- •FSG purchased Liverpool for £300 million 16 years ago, and Moore estimated the club's current value at approximately £4.5 billion, signaling a substantial potential return on investment.
- •Moore dismissed speculation linking Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to a takeover bid, describing the rumors as a red herring and questioning his genuine interest in football.
- •Moore identified Bhatia and the Mittal family as more suitable investment partners due to their understanding of football culture and willingness to engage deeply with the sport.
Liverpool FC's former chief executive Peter Moore has suggested that Fenway Sports Group (FSG) may be preparing to sell the club, while firmly dismissing speculation linking Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to a potential takeover.
FSG is currently in talks to sell a minority stake to former QPR co-owner Amit Bhatia — a process that some reports have indicated could eventually lead to the American ownership group's full exit from Merseyside. The discussions come amid a broader wave of Premier League ownership turnover, with Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Manchester United all changing hands or bringing in new investors since 2021.
Moore, who served as Liverpool CEO from 2017 to 2020, pointed to the age of FSG principals John Henry and Tom Werner, both of whom are in their mid-70s, as a possible motivating factor.
"I am in my 70s and let me tell you, when you hit 70, you start looking at things a little differently," Moore said on the Blood Red podcast. "You go: 'OK, what is my legacy going to be? How does my estate look? What am I leaving behind for people?' It sounds somewhat morose but that is how you have to think. It is the responsible thing to do."
FSG acquired Liverpool for £300m 16 years ago, putting the ownership group in line for a substantial return should they decide to sell. "It may well be that you have a club now that is worth £4.5bn," Moore added. FSG, which also owns the Boston Red Sox, previously explored a full sale in 2022 before opting to remain in control.
Bezos Rumours Called a "Red Herring"
Billionaire Bezos has been linked with joining Bhatia's investment bid, but Moore — who is based in Silicon Valley — said he believes the world's fourth-richest person has no genuine interest in football.
"Sure, someone sends an email to Jeff Bezos and says: 'Would you be interested in doing this consortium?' That doesn't mean Bezos [will accept]," Moore told the Liverpool Echo.
"You also have to look at people's passions because as much as football or sports is a commercial business and high stakes, you need people who understand the culture, understand the pitfalls and are willing to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty."
Moore suggested that Bhatia and the wider Mittal family are viewed as more suitable partners for this reason.
"Jeff has never shown any interest and even if he did, if he put in one percent of his net worth that he is going to throw in here and he can bring his wife, Lauren Sanchez, to Anfield, where she can come to Anfield and the cameras will be on her and she can have a right great time," Moore said.
"You don't want or need that [if you're FSG], so the Bezos thing to me is a red herring."
