Elland Road ‘big priority’ in 49ers investment plan at Leeds United as Manchester United comparison made
Elland Road is the “big priority” for 49ers Enterprises as they look to get Leeds United generating more income, according to Ben Jacobs.
The CBS journalist told GIVEMESPORT (31 July) that the new Whites owners are looking to put the club on a similar level to the top brands in football off the pitch.
Jacobs also made the comparison to old rivals Manchester United, with the Old Trafford giants currently also in the midst of drawn-out takeover talks and with a famous but crumbling stadium [Daily Mail, 19 July].
Jacobs said: “49ers Enterprises have always been fully invested in the project. And we know, historically, that Elland Road is a big priority. That will help Leeds to move on, modernise and ultimately make more money from the football club.
“49ers Enterprises are not just thinking about this project in terms of the football side. They are also looking at this in terms of how they can bring the club on par with the top teams and the top brands.
“To do that, as Manchester United are finding, you must consider where you will invest your capital.”
Future proofing
The comparison to the Glazer-owned club might set alarm bells ringing among Whites fans considering how unpopular the American owners in Salford are.
It is the reality of the situation that 49ers Enterprises, as an investment group, are ultimately looking to make money themselves out of the takeover.
But the contrast with the incoming American owners at Leeds United and the possible outgoing ones at Manchester United is that the Whites haven’t been saddled with huge debt by the takeover, and the Paraag Marathe-led hierarchy already seem to be getting their off-pitch investment underway.
If everything goes to plan the club will benefit in the long run through better facilities and spending power, while the 49ers will presumably sell up some years down the line with the price significantly increased.
Even accounting for relegation from the Premier League previous owner Andrea Radrizzani made a notable profit on what he paid to buy the club, albeit a lot less than if they had stayed up.
While Leeds supporters would love to see transfer spending for Daniel Farke on the scale of what Erik ten Hag is currently getting now, the ability to invest in the playing staff would also be boosted by increasing the revenue at the club, on match day and commercially.
If done right the 49ers’ ambitious plans should be very positive for the club, so everyone involved will hope that enthusiasm doesn’t dim the longer they are in charge.
In other Leeds United news, a Whites loanee has broken his silence over the unpopular move to leave Elland Road this summer.