If an arrangement can be hashed out, the Ibrox club will profit from a significant cash influx from the American backers.
The Rangers are at the center of a potentially dramatic US-led takeover proposal, which would see them backed by the San Francisco 49ers’ massive financial might.
The Daily Record has discovered that top-level conversations about a multi-million pound investment began before the turn of the year and are now thought to be in ‘an advanced stage’. And if a deal can be reached, the Ibrox club would profit from a significant cash infusion, which will subsequently enable a shopping spree in the summer transfer window.
According to sources south of the border, one of the primary persons driving the initiative is Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe, who also oversees the NFL giants’ investment arm, 49ers Enterprises. Marathe, who is also the executive vice president of football operations in San Francisco, was the mastermind behind a takeover of the Elland Road Club, which moved closer to a Premier League comeback on Monday night with a thrilling late win against Sunderland.
It is claimed he is now part of a syndicate, which includes at least one other wealthy American businessman, that intends to return Rangers to the top of the Scottish game after years of being overshadowed by Old Firm rivals Celtic.
The American consortium intends to acquire enough shares to become the club’s largest single stakeholder, and it is expected to seek seats in a new-look boards. The specifics of the move are unknown, but the present composition of key stockholders suggests that any transaction will be complex.
Former chairman Dave King owns about 13%, Douglas Park owns nearly 12%, George Taylor owns slightly more than 10%, Stuart Gibson is not far behind, and John Bennett owns around 7%. Directors Julian Wolhardt and John Halsted have a combined shareholding of little more than 12%.
While Marathe has not taken a leadership role in the takeover talks, it is claimed that he has agreed to assist fund them as his firm closes on a deal to supervise a dramatic transfer of power in the boardroom. In exchange, Rangers would not only receive a significant transfer boost, but they would also have access to the 49ers’ cutting-edge, data-driven technology for player recruiting, as well as the opportunity to pursue a variety of lucrative sponsorships and new commercial partnerships.
Rangers are viewed as an ideal investment opportunity by potential purchasers due to the club’s constant participation in UEFA top competitions, including as the Champions League and Europa League. And Marathe’s expertise of the British game, along with his position with the cash-rich 49ers, is regarded as quite crucial.
He recently orchestrated a methodical, staged takeover of Leeds United, which was bankrolled by the York family, owners of the 49ers, and Forbes Magazine estimated his net worth to be approximately $6 billion.
Francisco 49ers Enterprises, the NFL giants’ investment arm, originally bought a 15% ownership in the Elland Road outfit in 2018. Three years later, Marathe upped their share to 44%. In the summer of 2023, he paid £170 million to acquire the club outright.
Hollywood actor Will Ferrell later purchased a minority stake, revealing that he was persuaded to participate after conversations with Marathe. Leeds are on the verge of returning to English football’s top flight, with Daniel Farke’s side leading the Championship and Marathe as chairman.
They have also earned more than £150 million from recent player sales, notably Archie Gray’s £42 million move to Tottenham and Glen Kamara’s £10 million transfer to Rennes, which came only a year after the Finland international’s £5 million move from Rangers.
The Americans think Marathe’s experience will help him alter Rangers’ fortunes at a time when the club is plagued by internal strife. Philippe Clement’s side reached rock bottom earlier this month when they were knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Championship underdogs Queen’s Park, eliciting an angry reaction from the crowd.
A group of visiting fans at Tynecastle urged change at the club’s top following a 3-1 league victory against Hearts on Sunday. Rangers have only won one Premiership title since King rose to power a decade ago, and the Americans see parallels with the 49ers.
The York family dynasty has managed the San Francisco franchise since the turn of the century, when they took ownership of the team after a court struggle with prior owner Edward J DeBartolo Jr. DeBartolo Jr. had extraordinary success with the 49ers in the 1980s and 1990s, winning five Super Bowls.
In 2000, he transferred ownership to his sister, millionaire entrepreneur Denise DeBartolo York, and her husband, John York, a retired cancer research pathologist. In 2008, the pair gave over management of the 49ers to their son, Jed York.
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