Leeds United ‘in line for second Scottish sister club’ amid Red Bull and Celtic twist
Rangers may not be the only Scottish giant Leeds United are set to join forces with as a new twist has emerged regarding Celtic.
Leeds are poised to become part of a multi-club network for the first time as their owners 49ers Enterprises pursue a takeover of Rangers, with a deal agreed in principle to purchase a 51 per cent stake.
As a result, the Peacocks and Bears could both soon join the Santa Clara-based NFL team under the 49ers’ umbrella, potentially opening up the opportunity for player trading and boardroom fraternising.
However, the 49ers aren’t the only multi-billionaire conglomerate with a sizeable shareholding at Elland Road, and that could potentially see another Scottish club become associated with Leeds.
Red Bull expansion mooted after what Alan Brazil has heard
While 49ers Enterprises own the vast majority of United and their leading figure Paraag Marathe is also their chairman, Red Bull are also on board for the ride in Leeds and hold a roughly 10 per cent stake.
| Leeds United shareholder | Stake | Key board members |
| 49ers Enterprises | ~ 90 per cent | Paraag Marathe, Morrie Eisenberg, Andrew Schwartzberg Eugene Schneur, Peter Lowy |
| Red Bull GmbH | ~ 10 per cent | – |
Red Bull’s expansion into new leagues and teams beyond their branded clubs could next take them to Scotland, as speaking on talkSPORT (5 March, 6:21am), Alan Brazil reported a potential link with Celtic.
Brazil said: “I heard that Celtic… Red Bull were interested in taking a piece of Celtic, but I don’t know if that’s true or not…”
Leeds United fans will fear Red Bull’s next move
Although Leeds fans have stomached Red Bull becoming the club’s major sponsor in a groundbreaking financial deal last summer, the Austrian conglomerate owning a minority stake sits far less easily.
Red Bull’s reputation of taking over football clubs precedes them, with Austria Salzburg, New York MetroStars, SSV Markranstadt and Clube Atletico Bragantino all swallowed and rebranded in their image.
Marathe has gone out of his way to assure Leeds fans that no such red-washing will happen at Elland Road, but with Red Bull expanding into Japan, France, and potentially Scotland too, that fear will linger.
The 49ers turning their attention towards buying Rangers also hasn’t helped to assuage the worry of a full Red Bull takeover in LS11; Leeds supporters having become conditioned to not trusting club owners.
Celtic joining the expanding Red Bull stable would likely see their shirts don the same logo Leeds’ have this term, but shares bought in the Glasgow club would set alarm bells ringing on both sides of the border.