Kieran Maguire: 49ers ‘looking to do big things’ at Leeds as Marathe plan revealed
The San Francisco 49ers have been “looking to do big things” at Leeds United since first showing an interest in them at least five years ago.
So says finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the NFL side’s involvement in the East Yorkshire club.
The 49ers own 44 per cent of Leeds after their latest share purchase in November (2021), with Andrea Radrizzani residing over the remaining equity.
Per Leeds Live on Wednesday (29 December), Radrizzani admitted: “49ers were looking at [buying] Leeds a couple of years back before me.”
Radrizzani first bought into Leeds in January 2017.
Maguire claims that it is a good sign that the 49ers zeroed in on the Whites before that date and are still working to increase their influence.
“Paraag Marathe has had an interest in Leeds for a significant amount of time,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“They tick a lot of boxes. It’s got history, heritage, a large stadium, very vocal fanbase.
“Therefore, they see that there are opportunities of scale in terms of building the brand. They are looking to do big things.
“For an operation such as 49ers looking to expand globally, they aren’t going to do it via the NFL itself. American football is not a global sport. Football is.
“This is an opportunity for the 49ers to use their knowledge and experience of marketing and their commercial drive.”
Paraag Marathe was named vice chairman at Leeds in January last year (2021).
The 49ers have an option for a full takeover of the club by 2024.
In other news, Nottingham Forest in advanced talks to sign Leeds United star Cody Drameh.