Leeds United owners 49ers Enterprises look set to expand their sporting portfolio with reports suggesting a ‘deal in principle’ has been agreed to take over Rangers. Whites chairman Paraag Marathe is said to have co-led negotiations as part of a US consortium looking to purchase at least 51 per cent of the Scottish Premiership giants, with ‘growing confidence’ a deal can be ratified before next season.
The YEP understands figures at Leeds would be open to the idea of multi-club ownership, a model that has proven successful elsewhere across Europe. But how ready is the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers to spend not only in West Yorkshire, but north of the border too?
49ers Enterprises are among some of the richest football club owners in England, with their wealth comparable to many big-spending top-flight outfits. And with that in mind, the YEP has taken a fresh look at their net worth compared to a host of Premier League and top-end Championship rivals.
7. Nottingham Forest - Evangelos Marinakis
Reported net worth: £3.3bn Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
8. Crystal Palace - John Textor, Josh Harris, David Blitzer and Steve Parish
Reported net worth: £4.3bn Photo: Tom Dulat/Getty Images
9. Wolverhampton Wanderers - Guo Guangchang, Liang Xinjun and Wang Qunbin
Reported net worth: £4.4bn Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
10. Tottenham Hotspur - Joe Lewis and Daniel Levy
Reported net worth: £4.5bn Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images
11. Leeds United - 49ers Enterprises
Reported net worth: £5.2bn Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
12. Liverpool - John W. Henry and Tom Werner
Reported net worth: £6bn Photo: AUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images