San Francisco 49ers investors ‘are gearing up for an All-American takeover’ of Premier League team Leeds United ‘as soon as the end of the season after making moves to secure the financial backing’
- 49ers Enterprises currently holds 44 percent stake in soccer team Leeds United
- It has the option to buy out majority shareholder Andrea Radrizzani in 2024
- But it could look to complete a full takeover as soon as the end of the campaign
- The group has been making moves to secure the funding, according to US banks
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Leeds United’s American shareholders, 49ers Enterprises, are preparing for a full takeover of the Premier League team, according to reports.
The group, which also invests in NFL team the San Francisco 49ers, currently holds a 44 percent stake in the English soccer team.
However, it is said to be looking to increase their share to a full takeover as it has the option to buy out the majority shareholder, Andrea Radrizzani in January 2024.
US banking sources revealed that the investment group has made more moves in recent weeks to secure the necessary funding to buy out Radrizzani, The Times reports.
The reports adds that the 49ers Enterprises were ‘getting their ducks in a row’ and ‘put in place’ the necessary financial backing.
While the option to buy the Italian out isn’t until January 2024, it is claimed that the American shareholders could act as soon as the end of the season.
Leeds United’s American shareholders, 49ers Enterprises (pictured left President Paraag Marathe) are preparing for a full takeover from majority shareholder Andrea Radrizzani (right)
The final sale price could be affected by Leeds’s fate at the end of the campaign, determined by relegation survival or not.
The Whites are currently 12th in the Premier League table but just two weeks ago found themselves in the drop zone.
Takeover plans are not believed to be hostile as the investment group, Radrizzani and the team’s club executives are said to have a good working relationship.
However, it is not clear if Radrizzani is ready to relinquish his stake in the club as he said in August there are still goals he would like to achieve with Leeds, including European ambitions.
Radrizzani admitted in August that there are still goals he would like to achieve with Leeds
‘I dream to bring this club to play in Europe and then I’m happy to leave — so still some work to do here,’ he told The Athletic. ‘We are very good friends with the 49ers, they are a solid partner, they let you work in peace and they are supportive.
‘They have, as you know, an option to take a majority in 2024. Maybe before or at that moment, something will be discussed.’
The American presence in the Yorkshire club has increased over recent years. Paraag Marathe, the president of 49ers Enterprises and vice-president of the 49ers, is the Leeds vice-chairman.
Meanwhile, Peter Lowry joined the Leeds board last year and is a lifelong Leeds fan from Australia who now lives stateside. He is the son of the Australian billionaire Frank Lowy and is a ‘significant investor’ in 49ers Enterprises through the family’s investment company, Lowy Family Group.
American billionaire Denise DeBartolo York and her family own the San Francisco 49ers
49ers Enterprises initially bought a 15 percent stake in Leeds when the team was still in the Championship and hunting for promotion. In January 2021, it increased its stake to 37 percent before bumping it up again to 44 percent in November.
The 49ers are owned by American billionaire Denise DeBartolo York, 72, and her family, who own over 90 per cent of the franchise which is now worth $3.5 billion.
York’s father Edward Debartolo Sr bought the team in 1977 but Denise took control in 2001.
Her son, Jed, is now the CEO of the 49ers – the York family are worth $4 billion as of June 2021 according to Forbes.
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