Paraag Marathe email to Leeds United staff revealed as he boasts over major deal
Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe has lauded the sponsorship deal secured between the club and Red Bull, according to the Daily Mail.
In page 66 of their 31 May edition, it is reported that Marathe celebrated the fact that the arrangement with the global soft drinks giant by telling Leeds staff via an email that it’s the “largest sponsorship deal in the history of the EFL”.
The Leeds chief continued that Red Bull would offer a “bright future” at Elland Road following the announcement of the lucrative partnership, which has divided opinion amongst fans and the media alike.
Leeds United x Red Bull: risk v reward
However much the Red Bull partnership may assist Leeds United financially in the wake of the club’s failure to secure an immediate Premier League return, it’s understandable supporters are approaching the news with kid gloves.
Marathe and 49ers Enterprises have admitted there will need to be outgoings amongst the playing staff, with Leeds looking to recoup money for multiple returning loanees plus landing a windfall for the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto, who are almost certain to leave Elland Road this summer.
Red Bull may cushion the blow and help the club strengthen while balancing the books, but Marathe has moved quickly to address the elephant in the room and assure Leeds fans that Red Bull would have no seat on the board as minority shareholders – neither would the company acquire any naming rights for the club itself nor the stadium.
For many Leeds fans and media quarters, it’s a case of seeing the impact of Red Bull positively in action in order to believe it – and that process could take an entire season.
In other Leeds news, Graham Smyth analyses the club’s position on Joel Piroe.
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