Noel Whelan

Sat 9 April 2022 12:45, UK

Noel Whelan has suggested the backing of the San Francisco 49ers could see commercial income continue to skyrocket at Leeds United.

The former Leeds striker and club ambassador, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Whites’ “massive” American fanbase is only going to grow thanks to investment from the States.

As detailed in the club’s accounts for the 2020/21 season, Leeds made £20.3million in merchandising income, while ‘other commercial revenue’ totalled £15million.

As detailed by Football Insider’s finance guru Kieran Maguire on Twitter, Leeds’ commercial revenue of around £36million ranks eighth of the 16 teams who have posted their accounts.

Speaking to this site on Thursday (8 April), Maguire insisted the Whites would now look to usurp Everton and Leicester.

Whelan suggested the club’s American links could play a huge role.

“It’s just good business being made by the people at the top,” Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.

“They’re bringing money in, sponsorship deals, the right kit makers in Adidas, the right kit designs. They’re going to attract the fans to go out and buy it for their kids and themselves.

“It’s all about the merchandise, how you sell things, how you promote things. They’ve got everything right so far and you can’t turn your nose up at anything they’ve done.

“The stats say it all. The club is running in the right way. Leeds United are a big, big club inside Britain and outside as well, in Europe and in the Americas.

“You’ve got a massive fan base over in America for Leeds. All this is based on everybody, not just people in Leeds and England. It’s based around the world now.

“We’ve got a big investment from the 49ers. I’m sure there are going to be a lot more 49ers fans who turn into Leeds United fans and vice versa.

“They’ll just be bouncing it back at each other. It looks really, really healthy for the club right now.”

In other news, Jesse Marsch tipped to “do a Bielsa” after Leeds United player update.