Leeds United Elland Road
Leeds United correspondent Phil Hay has provided a takeover update regarding the 49ers Enterprises.
The Lowdown: Option until January
The 49ers Enterprises have had a deal in place to take over from current majority owner Andrea Radrizzani since December 2021. They currently have a 44% stake in the club and have until January to exercise the agreement to take complete control.
Reports have suggested that the 49ers ‘expect to be in control in Yorkshire for 10-15 years once they seal a full takeover of the club this summer’, adding that relegation would not stop a deal as they are ‘pursuing a long-term capital appreciation model’.
The Latest: Hay’s update
Hay shared an update regarding a potential takeover in a mailbag for The Athletic on Friday. The reliable reporter said ‘our understanding from speaking to people involved’ is that a consortium has been put together that includes around ten different parties.
Each party would be ready to commit between roughly £20m and £70m for the initial deal, with Peter Lowy and one US political figure with Washington links involved in the background.
Hay added that it would be the 49ers Enterprises whose name will be above the door and are fronting the process.
The Verdict: Exciting
In his update, Hay also said that there’s a ‘very strong chance’ that the 49ers will be in charge from July, regardless of what division Leeds find themselves in.
That will come as an exciting update to plenty of supporters, with some growing frustrated with Radrizzani over the last 12 months. ‘Sack the board’ chants have been heard at Elland Road this season, and although the 49ers are part of the current make-up, you’d expect they wouldn’t have had the final say.
However, they may soon be in charge, and it’ll be interesting to see if they decide on a complete shake-up at Elland Road, potentially impacting sporting director Victor Orta and managing director Angus Kinnear.
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