Ownership

It was on there this morning Steve?

Leeds United: EFL approves £170m takeover by 49ers Enterprises - BBC Sport

Club statement out now:

Today, Leeds United Football Club can announce that the EFL has approved the sale of the Club to 49ers Enterprises, paving the way for the immediate transition of ownership.

Paraag Marathe, previously Vice Chairman and Board member of the Club, will take over as Leeds United Chairman. In this role, Marathe will oversee all aspects of the Club, including football and business operations, and drive the strategy to fight for promotion back to the Premier League in the 2023-2024 season. Marathe takes over from Andrea Radrizzani, who has been majority owner of Leeds United since 2017. Angus Kinnear, CEO of Leeds United and Board member, will remain in his current position, and continue to direct the Club’s day-to-day operations. Rudy Cline-Thomas,Founder and Managing Partner of MASTRY, will join the Board as Co-Owner and Vice Chairman of the Club.

“This is an important moment for Leeds United and we are already hard at work,” said Marathe. “This transition is a necessary reset to chart a new course for the Club. We have already appointed a highly-respected First Team Manager with a track record of success, and we are confident Leeds will field a competitive squad to contend for promotion next season. It’s a privilege to carry this torch as I know we have a responsibility to ensure this Club makes our staff, players, supporters, and the Leeds and Yorkshire communities proud."

Cline-Thomas added, "With my family hailing from Leeds, it's an honour to be able to uplift this incredible community. This is more than just an opportunity, it's a personal mission. The chance to reinvigorate the cherished Leeds culture, to create a platform that attracts the world's finest players, and build a truly global brand that celebrates diversity, is a prospect that thrills me.”

49ers Enterprises, led by Marathe and 49ers CEO Jed York, has steadily supported and increased its investment in Leeds United over the past five years. Moving forward, the group will look to enhance all aspects of the Club both on and off the pitch. Marathe, Kinnear, and the Club recently announced the appointment of Daniel Farke as First Team Manager. The Club's leadership has also been laying the groundwork to build a successful squad by retaining key players from last season’s team as well as bringing in new talent.

“49ers Enterprises is bringing fresh leadership, management, and a commitment to investment, which I’m confident will meet our ambition to compete for promotion and remain in the top flight as an established Premier League Club,” said Kinnear. “I know Paraag, Rudy and 49ers Enterprises will keep supporters central to their plans during their custodianship and I am excited to work in realising the true potential of this great club.”

Radrizzani said, “It has been an honour to guide Leeds United over the last six years and to spend so much time with the best fanbase in the world. 49ers Enterprises have been fantastic partners for years and I'm confident they will take Leeds to the next level.”

For more information about Paraag Marathe and Rudy Cline-Thomas, their bios can be found on the Leeds Website.

About 49ers Enterprises

49ers Enterprises is the strategic arm of the San Francisco 49ers focused on investments in teams, leagues and other sports properties. 49ers Enterprises is the full owner of Leeds United Football Club. The group is led by President Paraag Marathe and was formed to expand the excellence of the 49ers into other ventures and to capitalize on the brand’s respected reputation across the sports world. The work of 49ers Enterprises is informed by the team's industry-leading expertise in sporting operations, as well as marketing, sponsorships, merchandising, retail, and business development.

TFFT

If we wanted a NBA player or former player then we should have hit shaq up as he is loaded.

I think exactly the same. Everything is being sorted behind the scenes at LUFC, this is down to Sharon and Tracey in the admin offcie at the EFL being in Majorca till next week (probably).

It's only really going to be an issue if it drags much beyond 1 July when the transfers begin and more importantly for the start of pre-season. Assuming a manager has been appointed but not announced, Hammond will already have transfer targets and had discussions with agents about which players want to stay and which players want to leave.

The sale has only happened in the last few weeks, these things take time to play out. There's no conspiracy and to put it in context, Radz is inthe same position with Sampdoria.

Odd but that's me Stevethemouse

It is just the EFL needing to ratify the takeover. Should be a formality. Then things can progress. I am sure 49ers already have the manager in place and also a DoF, even if we have to wait a few months for his notice to be served at Norwich.

I also expect us to have spoken with some players about coming to Leeds and the new manager will have had input.

Hope so BB. We need a lot of things to fall into place quickly if we're going to have a serious go at promotion.

I agree it has to be that They had to check out 60 investors which I presume is unusual but no doubt the EFL have dragged their heels on purpose to hinder any chance of us preparing well for the new season