By Daniel Feliciano

21st Nov, 2023 | 4:40pm

Fresh twist as Ackerley investment in Leeds United comes to light

Ackerley Partners were part of the initial group of investors in Leeds United when the 49ers Enterprises took over the club, according to Yorkshire Evening Post.

Writing on their website (21 November), the news outlet report that their investment isn’t a recent development despite reports to the contrary.

Bloomberg reported that the 49ers had sold a minority stake in the club to Ackerley Partners recently and were considering further investment in the club as they push to return to the Premier League, but YEP say that is false.

“The YEP understands Ackerley were among the initial tranche of minority investors, such as PGA Tour golfer Jordan Spieth, and only now has their identity become public, as opposed to reports suggesting their involvement has come about more recently,” they wrote.

Phew

When the 49ers came into the club it was believed that the long-term future of the club was in safe hands and secured, which was excellent after the way it ended under Andrea Radrizzani.

But reports that they had already sold a minority stake to help finance a push to the Premier League raised a lot of questions for the club’s fans.

Were the 49ers already looking for a way out? Were their finances overblown and we were expecting too much of them in the ownership role?

Thankfully those questions seem to have been answered quickly, with Ackerley now known to be part of the initial group of investors such as Jordan Spieth but their identity was just held back until recently.

There’s nothing to worry about and it’s likely more of these stories will come to light as more investors identities are revealed, but the 49ers are clearly committed to the task at hand at Elland Road.

In other Leeds news, ‘Top Clubs’ want to sign Whites starlet amid recent development.