San Francisco 49ers increase Leeds United investment

San Francisco 49ers have strengthened their partnership with Leeds United by increasing their stake in the Premier League club.
CHAIRMAN: Andrea Radrizzani retains a majority stake in Leeds UnitedCHAIRMAN: Andrea Radrizzani retains a majority stake in Leeds United
CHAIRMAN: Andrea Radrizzani retains a majority stake in Leeds United

The move also sees Paraag Marathe, the president of 49ers Enterprises step up to vice-chairman of the Whites.

The American football team initially bought a 15 per cent stake in the Elland Road club in 2018, with Marathe joining the board, but that has now increased to 37 per cent.

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Marathe's promotion signals increased involvement in the day-to-day affairs of the club. He has 20 years' experience of the business operations at Candlestick Park and its successor stadium Candlestick Point, which he oversaw the design and construction of.

The partnership with Leeds has helped the club to grow commercially as well as on the field.

Leeds have long been open to further investment, with persistent rumours about the owners of Paris Saint Germain buying into the club.

“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,” said chairman Andrea Radrizzani, who bought a controlling interest in the club in 2017. “Paraag and the team at 49ers Enterprises are uniquely positioned to collaborate with myself, (chief executive) Angus Kinnear, (sporting director) Victor Orta and our management team to help us achieve our goals.”

Radrizzani remains the majority stakeholder at Elland Road.

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Marathe called the 49ers' three-season involvement “more exhilarating than we could have ever imagined.”

The partnership has coincided with the arrival of coach Marcelo Bielsa, who took the Whites to the Championship play-offs in his first season, and automatic promotion in the second. Although they have made an inconsistent start to the 2020-21, the highs leave them well placed to secure them a second season in the Premier League. This has been their first top-flight campaign since 2003-04.

Commercial revenues have reached record-breaking heights in recent seasons, and as a result they were able to break their record transfer fee in the summer. Rodrigo's £27m signing was their most expensive purchase since Rio Ferdinand in 2000.

“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,” said Radrizzani.

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“We must also be focused on reaching our potential commercially and developing Elland Road and our training facilities.”

Marathe's experience in building a new stadium could help with the development of Elland Road, an iconic stadium but one past its best after years of under-investment.

Fenway Sports Group, owners of Boston Red Socks and Liverpool have shown what can be done at Anfield.

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