49ers owners take over Leeds United

The owners of the San Francisco 49ers from the NFL take over the English second division club Leeds United. The English Football League (EFL) has approved the sale, according to the club’s German team manager Daniel Farke, previously 49ers Enterprises held 44 percent of the shares.

“This is an important moment for Leeds United and we are already working hard,” said new CEO Paraag Marathe. “This move is necessary to chart a new course for the club.” The previous owner of the majority shares was the Italian businessman Andrea Radrizzani.

49ers Enterprises invested in Leeds in 2018, who were relegated from the Premier League that year. The group also includes NBA basketballers Larry Nance Jr., TJ McConnell and Russell Westbrook, and golf pros Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.

Farke took over the post in Leeds after his unsuccessful Bundesliga interlude at Borussia Mönchengladbach in early July.