Leeds United takeover news: Barack Obama-era Whitehouse figure Jim Messina hails ‘lifetime goal’ in 49ers deal
Former Whitehouse deputy chief of staff Jim Messina has announced himself as part of the Leeds United ownership group after the takeover was made official.
The prominent American political figure in Barack Obama’s presidency is the latest notable US name to reveal themselves as a member of the 49ers Enterprises investment group.
The full takeover from Andrea Radrizzani, agreed on 9 June, was given EFL approval and completed on Monday night (17 July), with Paraag Marathe becoming the new chairman, whom Messina thanked along with expected board member Collin Meador for bringing him in.
Reacting to the takeover completion the 53-year-old posted on Twitter Tuesday evening UK-time (18 July): “An incredible honor to be part of the 49ers Enterprises’ ownership group of LUFC!
“Thanks to Paraag and Collin for including me. This has been a lifetime goal of mine and I’m very excited about the future of this club! MOT.”
All aboard the Leeds bandwagon
Various names, mostly from the sporting world, were known prior to the deal finally being made official, including the likes of golfer Jordan Spieth and New Orleans Pelicans basketball player Larry Nance Jr.
But with the deal getting the green light from the EFL more and more are coming out of the woodwork, such as 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps and six-time NFL Pro Bowler, and actual ex-San Francisco 49ers player, Joe Staley.
But Messina’s addition to the list is the first evidence that the Leeds United buy-out has strayed into the political arena.
As with most of the other named members of the new ownership group, the likes of Marathe, Meador and new vice-chairman Rudy Cline-Thomas aside, Messina is unlikely to have influence over the running of the club, but his delight at involvement seems pretty evident.
It is now the job of the new regime to equip their first managerial appointment in Daniel Farke with the tools to make this entire endeavour a success.
The German has the credentials to lead the club back to the Premier League, but will need the right signings made and crucial players kept around to make it happen.
Ethan Ampadu is on his way as the first of the former, while Marathe has expressed his intention to make good on the latter.
There has been a suggestion of a wide-scale push to leave Elland Road among the first team however, so if that is accurate there is a big job to do immediately to avoid such a scenario.
In other Leeds United news, a second summer signing is on the cards to follow Ampadu already.