49ers Increase Ownership Stake In Leeds United
Leeds United have announced a new deal with 49ers Enterprises – the investment arm of NFL team San Francisco 49ers – which will take its minority ownership stake of the Premier League side up to 37%.
The new investment will also see Paraag Marathe, President, 49ers Enterprises and current Leeds Board Member, become Vice Chairman of the Elland Road club.
“We are delighted to welcome further investment into our club from 49ers Enterprises and I am confident that this latest partnership will help Leeds United continue to grow and develop into the team our supporters deserve,” said Andrea Radrizzani, Chairman, Leeds United.
“I have always been open to bringing partners on this journey with me, as long as these actions can benefit the long-term strategy of the club. Paraag and the team at 49ers Enterprises are uniquely positioned to collaborate with myself, (Leeds Managing Director) Angus Kinnear, (Director of Football) Victor Orta and our management team to help us achieve our goals.
“Now that we have achieved promotion and made a positive start to the new campaign, there is no better time to be looking ahead to the future, as we aim to take this football club to the next level, initially by becoming an established Premier League side before chasing our dreams of taking Leeds United back into Europe.
“We must also be focused on reaching our potential commercially and developing Elland Road and our training facilities.”
The announcement builds on a strategic partnership and equity stake initiated in 2018 when 49ers Enterprises purchased 15% of the club from Andrea Radrizzani’s sports and media investment platform Aser Ventures.
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Marathe said: “Our 49ers Enterprises team has always shared Andrea’s vision for constructing a powerful and winning club in the most competitive football league in the world, and the experience of the last three seasons has been more exhilarating than we could have ever imagined.
“The hard work and bold leadership demonstrated by Andrea and his talented team has restored Leeds United’s rightful place in the Premier League and we look forward to playing an even bigger role in supporting their efforts to climb the table this year and into the future.”
Marathe added: “We are increasing our investment in Leeds United now to support and augment the organizational infrastructure needed to remain competitive in the Premier League.”
“We are committed to doing all we can to help the club compete for championships against the best football clubs in the world while providing an elevated supporter experience at Elland Road.”
The deal will see Marathe – supported by 49ers Enterprises Vice President Collin Meador and other key 49ers personnel – become more involved in the decision-making process and day-to-day operations of the club, both in football and business operations as he has done for the 49ers for the last 20 years. He will also maintain his place on the Leeds United Board of Directors.
