The 49ers Enterprises has been the sole owner of Leeds United since July 2023 after buying out Andrea Radrizzani. PGA Tour duo Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas own minority stakes.
When did the 49ers Enterprises become the owner of Leeds United?
Leeds United confirmed in July 2023 that the 49ers Enterprises had assumed full ownership of the club from Radrizzani. The English Football League (EFL) approved the sale of the West Yorkshire natives after the Italian agreed to sell his remaining stake in the Whites for £170m.
Radrizzani initially owned Leeds outright when he paid £45m for the Elland Road outfit back in May 2017. The chairman and founder of Eleven Sports initially procured a 50% stake from Massimo Cellino in January 2017. But he would end Cellino’s controversial three-year reign.
The following years saw Radrizzani sell shares in Leeds and first invited investment from the 49ers Enterprises in May 2018. It only paid £10m to secure a 15% stake whilst the club were still in the Championship. Yet together, Leeds won promotion to the Premier League in 2020.
Marcelo Bielsa’s fabled tenure at Elland Road returned top-flight football to the club after 16 long years. But Leeds would only stay in the Premier League for three years before returning to the Championship. Radrizzani had hoped to avoid relegation to value the team at £400m.
Who is Leeds United’s chairman after the 49ers Enterprises takeover?
Radrizzani and the 49ers Enterprises restarted negotiations over the US group becoming the club’s sole owner following Leeds’ relegation. A cut-price deal was ultimately struck in June 2023 before it gained EFL approval that July. The takeover saw Radrizzani leave Elland Road.
During the interlude whilst awaiting EFL approval, PGA Tour golfer Spieth confirmed that he and fellow golfer Thomas had purchased shares in the 49ers Enterprises. Rickie Fowler also held talks about buying a stake but would withdraw his interest following Leeds’ relegation.
NBA star Russell Westbrook also invested in the 49ers Enterprises before its takeover of the Whites. While Paraag Marathe is president of the 49ers Enterprises and replaced Radrizzani as Leeds’ chairman. Several further investors also hold shares in the California-based group.
Other investors in the 49ers Enterprises include: Denise DeBartolo York, John York, Peter Lowy, Collin Meador, Larry Nance Jr, TJ McConnell, Rudy Cline-Thomas, Andre Iguodala, Michael Phelps, Myles Jack, Erik Johnson, Gabe Landeskog, Michael Schwimer, Joe Staley
What have Leeds United won with the 49ers Enterprises as their owner?
No silverware has been added to Leeds United’s trophy cabinet since the 49ers Enterprises became the team’s sole owner. But the Whites did win the Championship title in 2019/20 under coach Bielsa during the group’s tenure as co-owners at Elland Road with Radrizzani.
The West Yorkshire natives secured their long-awaited return to the Premier League after 16 years in the lower divisions. Bielsa orchestrated 28 wins and nine draws in 46 games with 77 goals scored to just 35 conceded. West Bromwich Albion were second by 10 points on 83.
What other sports franchises do the 49ers Enterprises own?
The 49ers Enterprises group took its name as Leeds United’s owner also own the NFL team, San Francisco 49ers. It also owns Elevate Sports Ventures, which uses machine learning and AI-powered software to help other sporting organisations to try to make superior decisions.
How much is the 49ers Enterprises worth? What is its net worth?
According to Forbes, the 49ers Enterprises is the 11th most valuable sporting empire in the world, as of January 2023. Its portfolio of the San Francisco 49ers, Leeds United and Elevate Sports Ventures combine for the Santa Clara-based group’s net worth of $5.97bn (£4.78bn).
Denise York & her family also hold a personal net worth of $5.6bn (£4.48bn), per Forbes, as of September 2023. The York family owns a 90% stake in the San Francisco 49ers. Edward Debartolo Sr purchased the Niners – now worth $6bn (£4.8bn) – for $13m (£10.4m) in 1977.
Peter Lowy, meanwhile, heads up the US faction of his father Frank’s shopping mall empire. Forbes lists the former Westfields owner Frank Lowry’s net worth at $6bn (£4.8bn). He is the 442nd richest person in the world, as of September 2023, ahead of the York family in 498th.
Red Bull and Leeds United deal
In May 2024, Leeds United announced a partnership with Red Bull, which would see the energy drink company become the front-of-shirt sponsor while holding a minority ownership stake at the club.
It was branded as a “multi-year” partnership, with Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull CEO, telling the official Leeds United website: “We are delighted to be an important element and partner of Leeds United.
“A club that is certainly one of the biggest in England and has a rich and successful history.
“The ambition to bring Leeds United back to the Premier League and establish themselves in the best football league in the world fits very well with Red Bull.
“We look forward to the partnership and are optimistic and energized about the future.”
Will Leeds United change their name to Red Bull?
As part of the announcement surrounding Leeds’ partnership with Red Bull, the club confirmed that there will be no change to the name or crest moving forward.
It comes as fears arose over whether there would be key alterations made in line with other teams in the Red Bull group such as RB Leipzig, New York Red Bulls, RB Salzburg and more.
