November 21 – 49ers Enterprises, owners of Leeds United, have sold a minority share in the club to US venture capitalists Ackerley Partners, owned by Chris and Ted Ackerley.
Ackerley Partners holds a stake in NHL franchise Seattle Kraken. A further Leeds share sale to another investor is reportedly under consideration.
Bloomberg reported that Ackerley Partners finalised the transaction during the summer months. The strategic intent behind this new alliance is to give Leeds’ football and commercial operations added capital for expansion.
The 49ers acquiried a majority share in Leeds United in the summer from the club’s former chairman Andrea Radrizzani who had been in charge for six years in charge.
The Americans had previously purchased a 15% stake in Leeds in 2018 and increased that to 44% in 2021.
Radrizzani bought Leeds for £45 million in 2017 when they were in the Championship, taking them back to the Premier League but only to be relegated again on the final day of the just completed season. Radrizzani had alienated himself from supporters with the Leeds United Supporters Club releasing a statement saying he was “no longer an appropriate person” to run the club.
Leeds United will be hoping to make it eight wins from seven as they travel to Yorkshire rivals Rotherham on Friday evening in their bid to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Currently in third place in the Championship, they are six points behind the two automatic promotion places but have closed the gap to the top two in recent weeks including a decisive 0-1 away victory over league leaders Leicester.
Contact the writer of this story Harry Ewing, at moc.l1714835030labto1714835030ofdlr1714835030owedi1714835030sni@g1714835030niwe.1714835030yrrah1714835030