Since the 49ers took over Leeds United, the club has slowly been on the path to becoming a commercial giant. The ownership have big plans for the club, and the Premier League is only the first step.
The 49ers’ first aim was to return to the Premier League, and they did everything possible on the pitch. Leeds hired Daniel Farke, splashed the cash in the transfer window and two years down the line, they have returned to the top flight.
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Off the pitch, the ownership has attracted big brands like Red Bull and Adidas to continue their business with the West Yorkshire side. Leeds managing director Robbie Evans even said that the 49ers have invested much more than previous owners in their short time in charge:
“Everyone assumes that cash is infinite and we’ll max out PSR. My objective every year is to max out PSR, irrespective of the cash. We’re injecting tons of cash, far more than any ownership group has before.”
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Latest Leeds United sponsor brings in huge boost
Gabriel Gudmundsson
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Red Bull came on as a minority investor in the club a few years ago, and it was even evident in the Championship how much financial gain the deal brought. The global giant have since become Leeds’ front of shirt sponsor, and will most definitely catch a lot of eyes in the Premier League.
The Athletic have been going over an investment pitch from the 49ers, and have discovered the magnitude of Leeds’ Red Bull sponsorship:
“This (revamped 49ers boardroom) leads to five examples of commercial growth between ‘the last time the club was in the EFL’ in 2020 and last season’s promotion campaign. Leeds’ ‘digital footprint’ has grown by 40 per cent, likewise its ticketing revenue, with retail income up 50 per cent and premium hospitality more than doubled.
“But the real upside is from sponsorship, largely thanks to energy-drink giant Red Bull becoming a minority partner and putting its logo on the front of Leeds’ shirts.
“The deal is worth seven times the previous EFL record and more than double what Leeds were earning the last time they were in the Premier League.”
The official value of the Red Bull sponsorship was not disclosed, but one can infer from past sponsors. SBOTOP were the front of shirt sponsor for Leeds when they were last in the Premier League, and their deal was reportedly worth £6million a year. If the club is earning ”more than double” from Red Bull, then the value is firmly in the £12million plus ballpark.
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