Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe has been named as part of a United States consortium looking to buy Rangers, according to reports in Scotland. The Daily Record first broke news of a possible buyout, with BBC Scotland later claiming there is a ‘broad agreement’ to hand 50 per cent of the club over to 49ers Enterprises in a deal believed to be worth around £100million.
Leeds and 49ers Enterprises - the investment arm of San Francisco 49ers, for whom Marathe executive vice president of football operations - have both declined to comment, while Rangers issued a brief statement insisting they will not comment on speculation. The initial report states talks are at an ‘advanced stage’ and a takeover could see Rangers ‘bankrolled by the enormous financial muscle’ of San Francisco 49ers.
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