The thrill of Rangers’ first win under Barry Ferguson has drawn attention away from a handful of developments about the impending takeover.
A deal with the San Francisco 49ers is claimed to have been reached, with the Ibrox club now playing the waiting game due to a couple of red tape difficulties involving dual ownership.
Is Rangers, a founding member of the Champions League and a past major player in European football, poised to become nothing more than a feeder club for Leeds United?
Paraag Marathe clarifies Rangers’ feeder club policy.
Rangers have access to the Champions League, but it is nothing compared to what Leeds may achieve by finishing last in the Premier League.
In terms of player recruitment, they also enjoy a significant advantage.
According to Paraag Marathe, the face of the prospective takeover and chairman of Leeds, the Light Blues are not going to be second in the food chain.
“Multi-club in terms of hierarchy – that is not how we see it. Marathe remarked at the Financial Times’ Business of Football conference, via City AM, that they are looking at it almost as a standalone.
“Leeds United stands alone; if we pursued another team, that club would also be alone. Are there any advantages to having leadership and ownership of many clubs?
“Certainly, with what you might communicate and do on the business side, and occasionally on the sporting side.
“But we don’t really look at it, and we haven’t thought about it as one club feeding into another. “Each club deserves our full attention and effort.”
What will Rangers receive out of the takeover deal?
According to finance expert Adam Williams, the commercial component of the transaction could provide the largest rewards to a club with a meager SPFL TV contract.
The 49ers Enterprises group would provide exactly the kind of experience that has been lacking in terms of running a top level sporting organization.
The current board members and investors obviously have the club’s best interests at heart and are clearly successful businessmen, but they have carried Rangers as far as they can go.
What Marathe is saying should excite fans; having the backing of a $9 billion sports franchise is exactly what is required when the foundation is already in place for growth to occur.
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