Kieran Maguire: Leeds United chief Andrea Radrizzani in ‘bold’ move as £5bn+ bid readied
Andrea Radrizzani “has done very well” at Leeds United and will benefit DAZN after joining as an executive director.
That is the opinion of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the “bold” decision by the Leeds United owner to move back into broadcasting.
Streaming service DAZN revealed earlier this month (15 February) that they completed the acquisition of Eleven Sports in a move that includes Leeds United owner and Eleven founder Radrizzani joining the company’s executive board.
Radrizzani bought a 50 per cent stake in the Yorkshire club back in 2017 after earning his wealth through Italian television rights.
The 49ers Enterprises are now poised to complete a £400m takeover of the club after buying 10 per cent of the club in 2018 and slowly increasing their stake over the last five seasons.
Radrizzani’s experience in purchasing television rights could prove vital for DAZN after the Daily Mail revealed they are prepared to bid for Premier League rights in 2025.
The current broadcasting deal in the Premier League is worth £4.8billion and may improve if broadcasters enter a bidding war for rights.
“Andrea Radrizzani is an entrepreneur and has done very well at Leeds United,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“He has effectively bought the club for no more than £100million.
“The relationship with the 49ers Enterprises seems to be a positive one and making a bold move to the broadcasting side of the business as opposed to the playing side might appeal to him.
“It brings a certainty of revenue and reduces risks attached to being in control of a club that could be relegated.
“So it’s easy to see his reasoning for joining the DAZN board and using his previous experience with ElevenSports to help the company.
“It will benefit both him and DAZN going forward.“
In other news, Leeds United handed Hakan Calhanoglu boost as he tells agent to explore move