49ers’ president Paraag Marathe set to become ‘primary owner’ of Leeds United
Apr 14, 2023, 12:47 PM | Updated: 3:22 pm
SANTA CLARA, CA - MAY 22: Paraag Marathe of the San Francisco 49ers addresses the audience during an ESPN leadership dinner at Levi's Stadium on May 22, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers are looking to expand their enterprise across the pond, set to purchase a majority stake in Leeds United Football Club of the English Premier League. If/when the sale does become official, 49ers’ president Paraag Marathe is expected to become the primary owner of the sporting outfit.
This news was reported earlier in the week by the Sports Business Journal, in an article titled “The Premier League’s economy of scale“. Discussing the various states of soccer organizations across the pond, writer Bruce Schoenfield stated that the Red & Gold (already minority owners) are scheduled to complete the purchase in June, giving the Premier League another American owner in the fold.
“One of the NFL’s most highly regarded executives, 49ers President Paraag Marathe, will become the primary owner of Leeds if 49ers Enterprises (which Marathe also runs) completes the purchase as scheduled in June,” Schoenfield wrote. “Marathe and Jed York, whose family owns the 49ers, have taken the team to six NFC Championship games. ‘We feel like we have pretty good experience in running a sports organization,’ Marathe says. ‘We feel like we’ve done a pretty good job in transforming the 49ers, from an asset value standpoint, commercial revenue standpoint, and on the field. We know how to transition from a lemonade stand to a more sophisticated business operation.'”
Breaking News: #49ers President and “salary cap genius” Paraag Marathe, is going to become the “primary owner” of Leeds United soccer team of the premier league.
Question is: Will he now play a lesser role with San Francisco, as he plays a bigger role with his soccer team? pic.twitter.com/00k1Os0ubO
— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) April 14, 2023
Paragg Marathe has spent the last 22 years with the 49ers, serving as both President of 49ers Enterprises & Executive Vice President of Football Operations. Known as the salary-cap wizard for SF, Marathe looks set to explore the world of European soccer in the near future.
The 49ers have not issued a statement on the matter, and have not hinted at Marathe’s departure at this time.
Leeds United is in danger of being relegated from the Premier League, currently 16th in the standings.
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