Uilleam 6,120 Posted Wednesday at 19:44 Share Posted Wednesday at 19:44 If you're going to San Francisco Be sure to wear an Orange Sash down there From the unimpeachable market leading Dhaily Rabble ( and the Super Soaraway Sun, for good measure) comes a delightful rumour. Rangers are at the centre of a potentially transformative US led takeover bid – a deal that would see them bankrolled by the enormous financial muscle of the San Francisco 49ers. The Daily Record has learned top-level discussions over a multi-million pound investment began before the turn of the year – and they are now believed to be at ‘an advanced stage’. And if an agreement can be thrashed out the Ibrox club stand to benefit from a major cash injection which would then fund a spending splurge in the summer transfer market. Sources from south of the border have confirmed one of the key men behind the proposal is Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe – the man in charge of the NFL giants’ investment arm, 49ers Enterprises. Marathe – who is also executive vice president of football operations in San Francisco – was the architect in chief of a takeover of the Elland Road Club which took a step closer to a Premier League return on Monday night with a dramatic late win over Sunderland. It’s understood he is now part of a consortium – including at least one other high net worth American business mogul – which hopes to restore Rangers to the top of the Scottish game after years spent languishing in the shadow of Old Firm rivals Celtic. The American consortium plans to snap up enough shares to become the biggest single shareholder in the club and would be likely to demand seats in a new look boardroom. The finer details behind the move are not yet clear but the current configuration of major shareholders means that any deal will be complicated. Former chairman Dave King who owns almost 13 per cent, Douglas Park retains nearly 12 per cent, George Taylor holds just over 10 per cent, Stuart Gibson is not far behind with John Bennett on around seven per cent. Directors Julian Wolhardt and John Halsted share a combined stake of just over 12 per cent. While Marathe has not played a leading role in the takeover discussions it’s understood he has agreed to help fund it as his group closes in on a deal to oversee a revolutionary transfer of power in the boardroom. In return, not only would Rangers receive a massive injection of transfer cash but the club would also gain access to the 49ers cutting edge, data driven technology for player recruitment as well as open the door to a number of money spinning sponsorships and new commercial tie ups. The would be buyers view Rangers as a perfect investment opportunity given the club’s regular access to UEFA elite competitions, either in the Champions League or Europa League. And Marathe’s knowledge of the landscape of the British game, coupled with his position with the cash rich 49ers are seen as hugely significant. He recently headed up a gradual, staged takeover of Leeds United, bankrolled by the York family - owners of the 49ers and listed by Forbes Magazine as having a net worth of around 6 billion dollars. Francisco 49ers Enterprises - the investment wing of the NFL giants - first purchased a 15 per cent stake in the Elland Road outfit in 2018. Three years later Marathe increased that stake to 44 per cent. In the summer of 2023 he completed a £170m deal to buy the club outright. Hollywood star Will Ferrell subsequently snapped up a minority holding and revealed afterwards he was convinced to get involved following discussions with Marathe. Leeds are currently closing in on a return to the top flight of English football, with Daniel Farke’s side sitting in pole position in the Championship and with Marathe in charge as chairman. They have also raked in more than £150m from recent player sales including Archie Gray’s £42m move to Spurs and Glen Kamara’s £10m transfer to Rennes - which came just 12 months after the Finland international’s £5m move from Rangers. The Americans believe Marathe’s expertise can help him transform the fortunes of Rangers at a time when the club is being ravaged by internal unrest. Philippe Clement’s side hit rock bottom earlier this month when they were dumped out of the Scottish Cup by Championship minnows Queen’s Park, sparking a furious response in the stands. And a section of away supporters at Tynecastle on Sunday demanded change at the top of the club during a 3-1 league win over Hearts. Rangers have won just a single Premiership title since King swept to power a decade ago and the Americans see similarities with the 49ers. The York family dynasty have run the San Francisco franchise since the turn of the century after winning control of the outfit following a legal battle with former owner Edward J DeBartolo Jnr. DeBartolo Jnr had enjoyed unprecedented success with the 49ers during the 80s and 90s - winning five Superbowls. He turned over ownership in 2000 to his sister – billionaire businesswoman Denise DeBartolo York and her husband John York, a retired cancer research pathologist. The couple then handed over control of the 49ers to son Jed York in 2008. My initial thoughts are....Cheerleaders !!! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uilleam 6,120 Posted Wednesday at 19:47 Author Share Posted Wednesday at 19:47 The Rangers Review now running with this story too (Christopher Jack). Maybe it has legs, then, as many legs as those cheerleaders... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,794 Posted Wednesday at 19:52 Share Posted Wednesday at 19:52 Takeover rumours have been doing the rounds for a while now so interested to see some meat being put on the bones. No doubt the club needs new investment and fresh eyes but goes without saying source of such needs to be credible. 49ers ownership is interesting in that regard. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rousseau 11,290 Posted Wednesday at 20:07 Share Posted Wednesday at 20:07 My default position is, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. In the meantime... 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
compo 7,608 Posted Wednesday at 20:19 Share Posted Wednesday at 20:19 To be renamed the Glasgow Rangers Fifthyfivers 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott7 6,451 Posted Wednesday at 20:29 Share Posted Wednesday at 20:29 If true it’s an explanation for the possible loan/share conversion referred to elsewhere. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uilleam 6,120 Posted Wednesday at 20:58 Author Share Posted Wednesday at 20:58 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutton_blows_goats 5,915 Posted Wednesday at 21:03 Share Posted Wednesday at 21:03 Can’t wait to be Leeds uniteds feeder club. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uilleam 6,120 Posted Wednesday at 21:09 Author Share Posted Wednesday at 21:09 4 minutes ago, Sutton_blows_goats said: Can’t wait to be Leeds uniteds feeder club. Can't wait for Leeds to be our feeder club. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uilleam 6,120 Posted Wednesday at 21:10 Author Share Posted Wednesday at 21:10 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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