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- 49ers Enterprises increases stake from 37%
- Firm initially bought 15% of Leeds in 2018
Leeds United have announced that 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm of the National Football League’s (NFL) San Francisco 49ers, has increased its stake in the English top flight soccer club to 44 per cent.
The latest deal sees 49ers Enterprises take an additional seven per cent in the Premier League outfit from Aser Ventures, the holding company owned and chaired by Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani.
Aser Ventures holds the remaining 56 per cent of the Yorkshire club. Financials terms of the latest deal were not disclosed.
It is the second investment into Leeds from 49ers Enterprises this year, after the organisation acquired a further 22 per cent of the club in January, taking its stake at the time to 37 per cent. That investment also saw the entity’s president Paraag Marathe becomes vice chairman of Leeds.
49ers Enterprises initially invested in Leeds back in 2018, when the club was still playing in the second tier Championship, through a strategic partnership which saw the company buy a 15 per cent equity stake for a reported UK£10 million (US$13.5 million).
“We are delighted to see Aser Ventures strengthen their partnership with 49ers Enterprises who have clearly been impressed by the quality of the project,” said Angus Kinnear, Leeds United chief executive.
“Aser Ventures and chairman Andrea Radrizzani remain unequivocally committed to the club, whilst all those involved with the 49ers are actively working with our management team on a daily basis to help to drive us forward, putting us in a strong position to achieve our goals in the coming years.”
On the pitch, Leeds head into the international break following a 1-1 draw with Leicester City and currently sit 15th in the league. They next face Tottenham Hotspur on 21st November.
