The San Francisco 49ers ownership group increased its stake in Leeds United Football Club, becoming the latest American investors to double down on European soccer.
49ers Enterprises originally purchased a 15% equity stake in 2018 from majority stakeholder and Leeds United Chairman Andrea Radrizzani.
Since the original investment, the soccer club has been rejuvenated, climbing back into the English Premier League after a 16-year absence.
In response to the recent success, 49ers Enterprises increased its total minority stake in Leeds United to 37%.
“Our 49ers Enterprises team has always shared Andrea’s vision for constructing a powerful and winning club in the most competitive football league in the world, and the experience of the last three seasons has been more exhilarating than we could have ever imagined,” said Paraag Marathe.
Marathe is now vice chairman of Leeds United after the recent investment. He had served as president of 49ers Enterprises since 2018.
Elsewhere in the NFL, the Glazer family — who own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — has been the majority stakeholder of Manchester United since 2005.
