The 49ers’ business arm now owns a controlling stake in Scottish giants Rangers in addition to Premier League club Leeds United
It’s already been a successful year for 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm of the 49ers overseen by Paraag Marathe.
Leeds United, the English soccer team in which 49ers Enterprises owns a controlling stake, secured a return to the Premier League by winning the Championship (the second tier of the English league system).
With promotion to the Premier League worth at least £200 million ($269.5 million) in extra income, Leeds’ ascension back to the top flight was a huge boost to 49ers Enterprises, which now has an interest in football in Scotland.
Glasgow Rangers confirmed on Friday that a consortium including 49ers Enterprises had bought a controlling 51 percent stake in the club.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 30, 2025
Marathe, who already serves as the chairman of Leeds, will work as the vice-chair at Rangers, with healthcare tycoon Andrew Cavenagh the chairman.
Rangers have won the Scottish title a joint-record 55 times, with rivals Glasgow Celtic having matched that tally in 2024-25 by winning the Scottish Premiership. Not since the 2020-21 season have Rangers won the title.
The 49ers will hope their investment changes that, with Marathe saying:
“At 49ers Enterprises, we have built a track record of sporting and business success, but our driving motivation is our deep connection to the clubs and communities we serve. We are excited to join Andrew and our other consortium of investors in a new era for this iconic club, and we are determined to build something that supporters can be proud of for years to come.”
Of course, the priority for the 49ers franchise is delivering a long-awaited sixth Super Bowl title.
But with Leeds back in the Premier League and 49ers Enterprises now investing in a team in Rangers that could be playing in the lucrative Champions League next season, these are exciting times for the wider business.