• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open! Take the survey

49ers Plan to Buy Leeds United for $530M

  • The 49ers’ ownership group has a deal in place to buy Leeds United.
  • The deal is valued at more than $530 million.
Leeds United/Design: Alex Brooks

The San Francisco 49ers’ ownership group has a deal in place to purchase the Premier League’s Leeds United for more than $530 million, according to The Athletic. 

The deal includes an option for 49ers Enterprises to acquire 100% control of Leeds by January 2024 — including the club’s Elland Road stadium, which approved a plan in June to increase capacity to 55,000. 

49ers Enterprises originally purchased a 10% equity stake in the club worth a reported $13.6 million in 2018 from majority stakeholder and Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani.

Radrizzani bought the club from Italian entrepreneur Massimo Cellino in 2014 for $52 million and currently maintains a 56% ownership stake.

Leeds climbed back into the Premier League in 2020 after a 16-year absence, prompting 49ers Enterprises to steadily increase its stake. 

  • In December 2020, it bumped its stake to 25%, valuing Leeds at $326 million.
  • A month later, the group increased its minority stake to 37%.
  • Last month, it increased its stake to 44%.
  • The cost of buying 100% control includes the money already paid for the existing stakes. 

Radrizzani wants Leeds to be worth $1.15 billion within the next five years. Last year, the owner voiced his willingness to sell stakes in the club to reach that goal. It is expected that Radrizzani will retain a minority stake once the deal is finalized.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Running back Kalel Mullings (20) celebrates a touchdown against USC with teammates during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

House v. NCAA Lawyers Amend Settlement to Address Concerns About Boosters and NIL

Judge Claudia Wilken had concerns about the definition of the word “booster.”
Mar 5, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta smiles during the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center.

Tilman Fertitta Is Finally Trying to Bring WNBA Back to Houston

Houston is the biggest U.S. market to not have a WNBA team.
A member of the Miami Dolphins training staff attends to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa

What Walking Away Would Mean for Tua Tagovailoa’s Contract

The quarterback is facing calls to retire after another concussion Thursday night.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

How the PWHL is Changing Hockey

0:00

Featured Today

Sep 15, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs fans celebrate after a touchdown by Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

‘This Is My Whole Life’: How Swifties Became NFL Superfans

The “Chiefties” have arrived. And they are “fully committed” to football.
Sep 21, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) walks through Buff Walk before the game against the Baylor Bears at Folsom Field.
opinion
October 11, 2024

The NIL Era Is a Wild West. Is Anyone Surprised?

Amateurism is dead and college athletes are professionals. How’s that working out?
October 11, 2024

‘We’re Ready for FBS’: Sacramento State Is Serious About the Jump

How the Hornets got themselves on the short list of potential call-ups.
Duante' Abercrombie News Ch.4 interview
October 9, 2024

Tennessee State’s Ambitious Plan to Launch an HBCU Hockey Program

TSU has big plans, but the university is facing an existential dilemma.
May 24, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban celebrates after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game two of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center.

Why Mark Cuban Sold the Dallas Mavericks When He Did

Cuban sold his majority stake to the Adelson family in December 2023.
September 18, 2024

Rogers Tightens Grip on Canadian Sports With $3.46B MLSE Stake

The Blue Jays owner makes a big move to corner most of the Toronto pro sports market.
Young fans look over Michigan State sports equipment on display during the Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
October 2, 2024

Private Equity Firms Buy Rival Hockey Brands CCM and Bauer

Both brands have been around for decades and changed ownership in the same week.
Sponsored

Rivalries Reign Across Red River and the Beltway, London Calling

According to data from TickPick, renewed battles between bitter foes are spiking ticket prices.
September 12, 2024

Team USA’s Uniform Maker Is Shooting for a Long-Term Win

This week’s uniforms are honoring the Armed Forces.
September 5, 2024

Amazon Nears Game-Changing Deal to Stream Bally Sports Content

The online retail and streaming giant nears a long-expected deal to stream most of Diamond Sports Group’s content.
September 5, 2024

Callaway Spins Topgolf Off Into Separate Business

The two golf companies are parting ways only four years after they agreed to merge.
September 3, 2024

$13M and Counting: Coach Prime Deal Still Boosting Blenders Eyewear

Deion Sanders has a sunglasses sponsorship with the company.