4 REASONS FOR JEFF BEZOS TO BE BULLISH ON LIVERPOOL

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 06: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Soobum Im - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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According to a report early Monday from Sky Sports, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is part of a consortium that is nearing a purchase of one-third of Liverpool Football Club. The transaction will value the famous English Premier League outfit at about $6 billion, per that report.

With a current net worth estimated at $283.8 billion, Bezos is the world’s third-wealthiest man. And while Amazon Prime Video has become an increasingly prominent player in the world of live sports TV rights, the investment would be Bezos’ first directly into a major professional sports team.

Bezos wouldn’t be anywhere close to a majority investor in the club, given that there are several members of the consortium that would take one-third control of the 20-time English league champions.

Even so, it’s intriguing that Bezos might begin his dalliance in sports ownership in the Premier League, rather than an American league such as the NFL, where he was once linked to a potential purchase of the Washington Commanders.

Why might one of the world’s most influential businessmen think the Premier League is the right place to invest right now? Read on for four possible reasons.

Bang for the Buck?

While $6 billion is a substantial figure, it’s less than half of the going rate for the Dallas Cowboys, currently the world’s highest valued sports franchise at $13 billion.

Yet Liverpool has exponentially more followers worldwide, a figure estimated in the hundreds of millions thanks to the Premier League’s unrivaled global distribution.

Of course, the overwhelming majority of Cowboys and other NFL fans live in United States, the world’s wealthiest economy, and it’s the NFL’s domination of that economy that leads to the high valuation of the Cowboys and other franchises. But there’s still a case that global soccer entities like Liverpool bring more for their investment buck.

Unique Growth Potential

The immediate aftermath of the 2026 World Cup in the United States could prove uniquely favorable when it comes to global soccer brands growing their profile among American audiences.

For better or worse, the assumption among sports media types has been that fans newly infatuated with the sport will seek to continue their interest by watching the Premier League, rather than MLS or other domestic U.S. leagues. And there could be a lot of those folks if the TV numbers are any indication.

The final between Spain and Argentina on July 19 drew an audience of more than 60 million viewers in the United States, according to data provided by rights holders Fox and Telemundo. That made it the most-watched non-NFL sporting event in the U.S. since the Nancy Kerrigan-Tanya Harding scandal captivated audiences at the 1994 Winter Olympic Games.

Premier League audiences on NBC have already proved sizable, rivaling national NBA or MLB regular season broadcasts on network TV.

More Revenue Control

Unlike NFL franchises, which operate with widespread revenue sharing between the 32 teams, Liverpool FC and other huge soccer brands have more control over their own revenue generation.

Money from the Premier League’s TV contracts are distributed partially by merit, meaning higher achieving clubs and those appearing in more televised games take in a larger share. And unlike the NFL, soccer clubs keep all of the revenue they generate from commercial partnerships, matchday revenue and merchandise sales.

If this is truly a watershed moment for major European soccer in the U.S., the revenue potential of that moment may be even larger than an equivalent opportunity within U.S. pro sports leagues.

Better Competitive Prospects

After a famously long drought, Liverpool have won two of the last seven English Premier League titles. And with Pep Guardiola departing as Manchester City manager following last season, it feels like there is an opportunity for another club to overtake City as the dominant force in English football.

Liverpool certainly won’t be the only team trying to do that. But they are among the clubs most suited to be successful, given the combination of their recent upward trends and history of success.

On the flip side, global soccer isn’t constrained by the same North American competitive models that create the parity of the NFL. Only seven clubs have won the Premier League since it split from the old English Football League in the early 1990s. So if Liverpool can emerge as the new dominant force, their place atop the English football pecking order could become relatively stable.

- Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes

OKC FORCE NUGGETS INTO MAJOR FINANCIAL TROUBLE

The Thunder forced Denver into a major financial bind by making the Nuggets match Spencer Jones' two-year, $12 million offer sheet, increasing their luxury-tax bill by $32 million and pushing them into the second apron.

Credit AP-SCANPIX

The Oklahoma City Thunder have pushed the Denver Nuggets into a significantly more expensive financial position despite failing to acquire Spencer Jones.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Denver matched Oklahoma City's two-year, $12 million offer sheet for Jones, retaining the restricted free-agent forward before Sunday night’s deadline.

The decision increases the Nuggets’ projected luxury-tax payment by approximately $32 million, from $36 million to $68 million, while pushing them into the NBA’s second apron. Denver are currently the league’s only team operating above that threshold.

Oklahoma City makes Denver pay to retain Jones

Although the Thunder did not land Jones, their offer sheet forced the Nuggets to make an expensive decision regarding one of their most valuable homegrown players.

Denver originally signed Jones after he went undrafted out of Stanford in 2024. He began his professional career on a two-way contract before earning a standard NBA deal in February following his emergence as a reliable rotation option.

Jones appeared in 64 games last season, including 37 starts, and averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 22.1 minutes. He shot 50.4% from the field and 39.6% from three-point range.

The 25-year-old also played an increased role during the playoffs, averaging 6.5 points in 24.2 minutes across six appearances while converting 69.2% of his three-point attempts.

Denver ultimately decided that retaining a young player developed within its system was worth the additional cost.

Credit Rio Giancarlo/

Nuggets become NBA's only second-apron team

Matching the offer sheet carries consequences beyond Jones’ $6 million annual salary.

Denver’s luxury-tax bill is projected to rise from approximately $36 million to $68 million, with the franchise also crossing into the second apron and triggering further roster-building restrictions.

The Nuggets could attempt to reduce their bill through trades during the season, but any salary-cutting move could require them to sacrifice depth or attach draft compensation.

Oklahoma City, meanwhile, created a difficult decision for a Western Conference rival without taking on any long-term financial commitment of its own after Denver matched the contract.

Peyton Watson becomes Denver's next challenge

The Nuggets must now resolve the future of another restricted free-agent forward, Peyton Watson.

According to Charania, the Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers are all pursuing Watson, placing additional pressure on Denver after its expensive decision to retain Jones.

Keeping Watson could push the Nuggets even deeper into the tax, while allowing him to leave would cost them another important member of their wing rotation.

- BasketNews

ARSENAL'S WAGE BILL BLOWS CHELSEA'S AWAY AS STAGGERING AMOUNT BOTH SIDES SPEND COMPARED

Arsenal spend significantly more on wages than Chelsea as the Gunners prepare to face their London rivals

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been backed by the club financially(Image: Mike Hewitt, Getty Images)

Arsenal have certainly supported Mikel Arteta financially as the club attempt to end their wait for a Premier League title. The Gunners held a five-point lead at the top of the table following their commanding 4-1 victory in the north London derby last weekend.

It proved a timely result for Arsenal, not merely to secure bragging rights over Spurs but also to deliver the ideal response following their frustrating draw to Wolves. The side faced criticism after surrendering a two-goal lead, increasing scrutiny on the league leaders.

While Arteta is aiming to end a 22-year title drought, there is a degree of expectation that Arsenal should seal the league title this term, especially as other challengers have stumbled. As the club prepare to meet Chelsea on Sunday, there's little question that the Gunners have supported the manager through the salaries that they are prepared to pay compared to their upcoming opponents.

Arsenal's wage bill is reportedly the second-highest in the division, trailing only Manchester City. This indicates that Arsenal spend more on wages than Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea, despite the latter being regarded as having a larger squad.

It was recently confirmed that Bukayo Saka had signed a lucrative new contract. It has been reported by football.london that the deal makes him the club's highest-paid player on £300,000 per week, with Arsenal further extending the wage gap to the teams beneath them and heightening the pressure on the club to finally secure the Premier League title.

Spotrac previously stated that Arsenal spent £189,956,000 annually on wages for their first team squad. However, Saka's salary rise from £195,000 per week represents an additional £5.46million, bringing the revised total to £195.416million.

This figure substantially exceeds Chelsea's estimated wage bill of £153.296m, which ranks fifth in the Premier League, trailing Liverpool (£176.8m) and Manchester United (£167.492m) as well. The club embrace a more youth-oriented approach towards recruitment, resulting in lower salaries than Arsenal.

Based on Spotrac data, Chelsea captain Reece James stands as the club's highest-paid player on £250,000 weekly. Wesley Fofana is the only other Chelsea player claimed to be collecting a weekly wage of £200,000 or above.

Conversely, Arsenal have multiple players, including Saka, who receive more than Chelsea's leading earner. Kai Havertz (£280,000) and Gabriel Jesus (£265,000) earn larger salaries than James, while William Saliba (£250,000), Declan Rice (£240,000) and Martin Odegaard (£240,000) collect the same or marginally less than the Chelsea captain.

Bukayo Saka and Reece James are reportedly the top earners at their respective clubs(Image: Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

In total, seven Arsenal players pocket £200,000 per week or above, compared to just two at Chelsea. Meanwhile, Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer rank among Chelsea's best performers, yet both sit outside the club's five highest-paid stars, earning weekly wages of £150,000 and £130,000 respectively.

Only Man City are reported to outspend Arsenal on wages, with Spotrac recording their annual salary expenditure at £248.835m. Erling Haaland's earnings far exceed those of his teammates, with an estimated weekly salary of £525,000.

However, City's second-highest earner Bernardo Silva commands the same reported wages as Saka's new contract, with Omar Marmoush narrowly trailing the Portuguese midfielder on £295,000. Highlighting the contrasting pay structures between Pep Guardiola's squad and Chelsea, John Stones, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Ruben Dias and January recruit Marc Guehi all pocket the same wages as James.

While there is also a considerable gulf between City and Arsenal's spending, it does highlight that the Gunners are among the best-placed clubs financially to mount a challenge to City's supremacy in recent years. Saka's new deal demonstrates that Arsenal are prepared to offer elite-level wages and the club can begin turning ambition into reality by clinching silverware this season.

- Jake Bayliss

SAN ANTONIO SPURS WITH GREGG POPOVICH

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Three decades and 5 NBA Finals titles later, the Spurs are worth 50 times that.

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MAN UNITED POST £113M LOSSES DESPITE RECORD REVENUE

Omar Berrada said Manchester United are working towards improved financial sustainablility. Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Imag

Manchester United are working towards becoming more "financially sustainable," according to new CEO Omar Berrada, after posting a loss of more than £110 million ($144m) in their latest financial results.

The club announced record full year revenues of £661.8 million for the year ending June 30 in results published on Thursday. However, net losses rose to £113.2m ($148.2m) after increased investment in the playing squad.

United have recorded losses of more than £90m in three of the last four years, and were last profitable in 2019. But sources insist the club remain "committed" to be compliant with the Premier League's profit and sustainability regulations and UEFA's financial fair play rules.

The Premier League allows for losses of £105m over a three-year period, but there are provisions for allowable losses including investment in infrastructure and youth development.

"We are all extremely focused on working collectively to create a bright future with football success at the heart of it," Berrada said.

"We are working towards greater financial sustainability and making changes to our operations to make them more efficient, to ensure we are directing our resources to enhancing on-pitch performance.

"Our clear objective is to return the club to the top of European football.

"Everyone at the club is aligned on a clear strategy to deliver sustained success both on and off the pitch, for the ultimate benefit of our fans, shareholders, and hugely diverse range of stakeholders."

United spent more than £180m on signing five new players during the summer including Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte.

The outlay on the squad has increased the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag to produce performances on the pitch, particularly after the humbling 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool.

However, Berrada has reaffirmed the club's commitment to the Dutchman ahead of a crucial run of games in the Premier League, Carabao Cup and Europa League before the October international break.

"We have strengthened our men's first team with five exciting players and put a new football leadership structure in place to provide greater support to our manager," he said.

- Rob Dawson, Correspondent

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