Will Ferrell was in attendance in the Elland Road director’s box on Saturday as Leeds United suffered a home defeat to Burnley, and he shares of his conversation with Paraag Marathe.
Like many big-name celebrities both inside and outside of the sporting world, Hollywood actor Ferrell is an investor in Leeds under the umbrella of The 49ers Enterprises that now own the Yorkshire side.
That list includes the likes of Leeds fan Russell Crowe, major golf player Jordan Spieth, reality TV star Paris Hilton and Olympic legend Michael Phelps. On Saturday, Ferrell was alongside chairman Paraag Marathe.
Leeds suffered a 1-0 defeat to Burnley on Saturday as 19-year-old winger Luca Koleosho scored the only goal of the game after a mistake from new signing Manor Solomon, who slipped and let Koleosho in.
Ferrell shares conversation with Marathe before Leeds investment
Marathe has conjured up a big list of investors within The 49ers Enterprises group that also includes many NBA stars like Larry Nance Jr. Anchorman, Step Brothers and Elf star Ferrell will be hoping for promotion.
The home defeat was a blow for Leeds and Daniel Farke, in what was their first real test of the League season but with only five games played, there is a very long way to go between now and next summer.
Speaking to LUTV, Ferrell recalled his first conversation with Leeds chairman Marathe and how the latter convinced him to jump on board and invest in the Yorkshire club as so many others have done before.
Ferrell said it was through a colleague: “It came about through a friend of mine who is part of the investor group who was also in a move with me. The very famous Semi-Pro in which I played Jackie Moon.
“Pete Cornell was part of the cast. He emailed me saying he was going to possibly invest and they asked if I was interested. I spoke with the chairman Paraag, next thing you know I was like ‘please, sign me up.'”
A-list stars continue to grow but Leeds need to show return
The glitz and the glam of having a big name like Ferrell in the stands is impressive. But Leeds need to show why they have been tempted with investment at Elland Road and they need results quickly.
Starting with, promotion this season. Farke has had to oversee a mini-rebuild this summer, losing key assets in the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray, making many signings.
Are Leeds as good as the side that won 90 points last year and went to the play-off final? Questionable. One thing was evident on Saturday and that was Leeds’ ability to break down a low block is still poor.
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