THE brains behind the possible takeover of Rangers has broken his silence on his links to Ibrox – and whether the Glasgow giants would be seen as a ‘feeder club’ to Leeds United.
Paraag Marathe is the president of 49ers Enterprises, the business wing of the successful San Francisco 49ers franchise and has been playing a key role in talks over investment in Gers.
Paraag Marathe, president of 49ers Enterprises and chairman of Leeds United[/caption]
Marathe has been involved in potential takeover talks with Rangers[/caption]
Marathe has been working with fellow American businessman Andrew Cavenagh on a deal to buy out some of the current Rangers board members.
But the NFL chief, a right-hand man to 49ers supremo Jed York (whose family fortune is estimated at around $6billion) is also chairman of Leeds United, which has led to questions on several fronts regarding his potential involvement with the Light Blues.
EFL clubs are due to meet this week to discuss a potential loosening of their dual ownership rules.
The SFA have their own rules on dual ownership too, which is why Bill Foley was unable to acquire more than 25 per cent of shares in Hibs through his Black Knights group when he first got involved.
Given 49ers Enterprises own Leeds outright – and they look like stick-ons for Premier League promotion – there were fears among some Gers fans that their club could become a feeder team to the Elland Road side.
But Marathe has insisted that won’t be the case.
Marathe was a guest speaker at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit and was quizzed specifically on his firm’s links with Gers.
He said: “I can’t really comment on whatever rumours might be out there. But we are looking at other opportunities. It is doable to replicate the passion (at Leeds).
“What we are looking for is clubs with the right bones, history of success and potential for growth.
“And if you are a sports person, and you live it and treat it as a way of life like I do, then absolutely there is enough room in your heart to love all your sports properties, just like there is to love all of your children!”
And on the rumours of Rangers becoming a feeder club, he said: “We always have our eyes and ears open and look at other opportunities.
“Leeds United stands alone, if we were to look at another club that would stand alone. What you can share and do on the sporting side, we haven’t looked at one club as a feeder club.”
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