NFL’s $9bn San Francisco 49ers in talks over multi-million dollar soccer investment

American investors are in talks with Rangers over a multi-million dollar takeover of the Scottish soccer club.

San Francisco 49ers chief Paraag Marathe, who has been involved with the NFL franchise for 24 years, is part of the bid.

Marathe serves as both executive vice president of Niners football operations and as president of their investment arm, 49ers Enterprises.

They have been set up to oversee outside business ventures and major investment opportunities for the franchise, and are already involved in the English Football League.

Championship club Leeds United have been owned by 49ers Enterprises since July 2023, when a $211million (£170m) takeover was formally approved.

The investment arm had previously held a 44 percent stake in the club, but took full control after purchasing Andrea Radrizzani’s share, with the move also installing Marathe as chairman.

Now, he is involved in a consortium hoping to take control of Rangers, a club in the Scottish Premiership, the top division of Scottish soccer.

The club is based in Glasgow and, along with arch rivals Celtic, is one of the most historic clubs in Scotland, having won the Scottish League title a record 55 times.

According to multiple reports, Marathe and fellow US business figures have held detailed talks with the Ibrox club in recent months.

Per SunSport, current American board member John Halsted has been a prominent figure in bringing potential investors to the table.

However, that report claims there are still ‘plenty of hurdles to overcome’ as high-level discussions continue with no deal agreed yet.

The consortium is said to see huge potential in Rangers, given UEFA Champions League qualification is a potential reward for domestic success.

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Other US investors keen to put money into the club as part of the bid believe Marathe’s experience of British football can be of huge significance.

Rangers posted a $21.7m (£17.2m) loss last year and with takeover talks ongoing, the 49ers could extend their portfolio by investing.

Former Gers chair Dave King is currently the major shareholder at Ibrox, with a stake of around 13 percent, while another former chair, Douglas Park, and director George Taylor also own over 10 pecent of the club.

The NFL’s 49ers, meanwhile, are bankrolled by the York family and are exploring the idea of selling a 10 percent stake at a valuation of more than $9bn.

Bloomberg reports that deliberations are ongoing and at this point, it is unclear if the Niners will choose to seek a private equity firm to buy the stake, or other investors such as a wealthy individual or family.

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A valuation of $9bn would make the five-time Super Bowl winners one of the world’s most expensive sports teams.

They would not be the first to sell off a minority stake, as the NFL has seen a number of transactions following the approval of private equity groups to invest in franchises last year.

Many teams are eager to sell stakes for increased liquidity for family members, or for money that can be put back into the team for stadium repairs or future investments.

The 49ers have not yet commented on Bloomberg’s report.

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