Rangers fans are eagerly awaiting the US takeover at Ibrox as 49ers Enterprises and Andrew Cavenagh prepare to take the reins.
With the US takeover of Rangers expected to be completed by the end of April, there is excitement building in Glasgow.
The 49ers are one of football’s biggest sporting conglomerates and will be coming into Ibrox with the intention of using that expertise to restore Rangers to greatness.
49ers Enterprises have links to some of the biggest players in sports, with the group even selling part of its Leeds United shareholding to Red Bull.
And it’s Red Bull who’ve popped into our heads on this, the 1st of April, after catching Rangers fans unaware with a viral post back in 2018.
Photo by Jan Kruger - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Jan Kruger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Red Bull make April Fool’s of Rangers fans
There was a moment in history when Austrian energy drinks giant Red Bull caught thousands of Rangers fans unaware with an April Fool’s joke.
Back in 2018 Red Bull teased Rangers fans by hinting that they had agreed a shirt sponsorship deal with the Ibrox side.
Including a photoshopped image of a Rangers jersey with the Red Bull logo, it’s an iconic moment which had Gers fans hoping for a lucky break.
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The post read: “So @RangersFC – do you want to tell them or shall we?”
As it transpired, Red Bull were playing an April Fool’s prank and Rangers were not in any negotiation with the Austrian sports group.
But that could be subject to change in the future.
Rangers News has learned that Red Bull are keeping an eye on Rangers and the situation with the Rangers takeover.
Whilst this doesn’t change anything with the US takeover as things stand, Red Bull could be a future partner at Ibrox should the conditions suit all parties.
Leeds chairman cools Red Bull Rangers fears
With Red Bull pouring investment into Leeds United, some Elland Road fans might be hesitant given the brand’s habit for renaming its teams across global football.
The RB brand has influence across the planet, with Red Bull having teams in Austria (RB Salzburg), Germany (RB Leipzig), USA (RB New York), Brazil (RB Bragantino) and Japan (RB Omiya Ardija).
But 49ers chief Paraag Marathe – who was behind the landmark Red Bull deal with Leeds – insists that the Austrians will not be able to change Leeds’ name.
This will perhaps put the minds at ease of any Rangers fans who thought this might be in line to happen at Ibrox, should Red Bull get involved.
Photo by Pat Scaasi | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Pat Scaasi | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
“I wouldn’t say it was a concern. It’s definitely something I wanted to address,” Marathe told the Athletic when asked about the situation.
“I’m not talking about whatever their positive or negative history is. I’m talking about understanding our history and understanding and respecting our legacy.
“So, for example, this club is and will forever be Leeds United Football Club. It’s not going to be the Leeds Red Bulls. To be fair, they understand that. They appreciate that. They respect that. They know the legacy of this club, so it’s not something they wanted either.”
On top of this, Marathe suggested Rangers will not be Leeds’ feeder club should the takeover at Ibrox go through.