US Golfers Line Up Leeds Investment

Three top US golfers have revealed that they are set to invest Leeds United as part of its imminent takeover by 49ers Enterprises.

Rickie Fowler has stated that he will be joined by Ryder Cup team-mates Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas as fellow investors into 49ers Enterprises.

The American investment group has agreed a £170m deal to buy out chairman Andrea Radrizzani’s controlling stake in the club.

“There’s the group that’s moving forward so potentially we’ll be a part of it,” Fowler told Sky Sports News.

“It’s cool to have these opportunities. It would be fun if we get to be a part of it, if not we’ll continue to root for Leeds.

“Obviously they got relegated but to get to go to a Premier League game, a Champions League game, any of that [would be great]. It’s a massive sport and I feel like it is continuing to get bigger in the States.

“Since I haven’t been to a game, I don’t have the true appreciation until [I get to] be there and feel that energy.”

It’s thought that the US trio have become Leeds United fans due to a friendship with English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick’s caddie Billy Foster, who is from Yorkshire.

Leeds United Chairman Andrea Radrizzani agreed to sell his stake of Leeds United to co-owners 49ers Enterprises, investment arm of the NFL franchise San Francisco 49ers, last week.

The value of the deal is reportedly £170m and sees 49ers Enterprises take full ownership of the club, which now play in the EFL Championship after suffering relegation from the Premier League last month.

49ers Enterprises purchased a 15% stake in the Yorkshire club in 2018 and increased that to 44% in 2021.

In 2017, when Leeds was in the Championship, Radrizziani purchased the club for £45m, but since then his stake has dropped to 56%.

The previous agreement was reportedly worth approximately £400m, however, that was dependant on the club’s Premier League status. Negotiations were then restarted after Leeds’ league status was confirmed.