May 30 – Leeds United have announced that Red Bull have acquired a minority ownership stake in the club and will also become their front-of-shirt sponsor in a multi-year deal.
No value was given for the share acquisition.
The energy drink giant already owns RB Leipzig in Germany’s Bundesliga, Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg, MLS team New York Red Bulls, and Red Bull Bragantino in Brazil.
Beyond football, Red Bull has invested in ice hockey, extreme sports, motorsports, and two Formula 1 teams, with Red Bull Racing currently holding both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles.
This move marks the first major play into English football by Red Bull, who could look to invest further if the Leeds minority ownership shows promise.
“Red Bull’s addition is a historic milestone that will further empower the club to reach its full competitive potential,” Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe said.
Unlike the other clubs in Red Bull’s portfolio, the name and logo of Leeds United will remain unchanged, the club announced.
Leeds have been owned by 49ers Enterprises – the investment arm of the NFL franchise San Francisco 49ers – since last summer, following the completion of a £170 million sale by Andrea Radrizzani’s Aser Ventures.
Additionally, actors Russell Crowe and Will Ferrell own stakes in the club, and the shareholder group includes several US sports stars, including golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.
“The ambition to bring Leeds United back to the Premier League and establish themselves in the best football league in the world fits very well with Red Bull,” said Oliver Mintzlaff, the company’s CEO of corporate projects and investments.
The investment follows Marathe’s comments on Sunday, where he did not dismiss the possibility of player sales after their Championship play-off final defeat to Southampton.
“We have the funds we need to do what we need, but there will need to be some trade-offs because of [profit and sustainability rules],” Marathe said.
Condemned to another season in the championship with financial issues already building, the investment and sponsorship will help to fuel a title charge in the coming campaign.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1720352157labto1720352157ofdlr1720352157owedi1720352157sni@g1720352157niwe.1720352157yrrah1720352157