San Francisco 49ers Earn High Praise in NFLPA Report Amid Rangers Takeover Talks
As the 49ers Enterprises-led takeover of Rangers Football Club nears completion, the San Francisco 49ers have earned high marks in the NFL Players Association’s annual report card, highlighting the organisation’s strong internal culture and leadership.
The US consortium—headed by businessman Andrew Cavenagh and backed by the ownership group of the NFL franchise—is expected to finalise their acquisition of the Glasgow-based club this month. Although 49ers Enterprises operates as a branch of the San Francisco 49ers, which is owned by Jed York, the group is already a familiar name in football through their ownership of Leeds United.
At Leeds, Paraag Marathe acts as chairman while Gretar Steinsson, a former Bolton player, serves as technical director. Under their guidance, Leeds are pushing for a Premier League return, currently leading the Championship with just five matches left. Both Marathe and Steinsson are expected to join Cavenagh in shaping the future of Rangers post-takeover.
Meanwhile, the NFLPA’s 2025 report has ranked the 49ers as the eighth-best organisation in the league, a slight dip from their sixth-place finish last year but still firmly among the NFL’s top tier. The players’ union praised the franchise for its ownership, coaching, strength program, and food services, all contributing to a highly respected organisational culture.
“The 49ers ranked 8th overall, receiving high marks for ownership, coaching, strength staff, and their food program,” the NFLPA noted. “Players consistently point to the team’s strong culture as its greatest strength. However, one area to improve is eliminating the fee charged to players for daycare—a benefit most teams now offer free of charge.”
San Francisco 49ers NFLPA Report Card Summary:
– Treatment of families: B+ (10th)
– Food/dining services: A (4th)
– Nutritionist/dietitian: B+ (10th)
– Locker room: B (15th)
– Training room: B- (21st)
– Training staff: B- (25th)
– Weight room: A- (12th)
– Strength coaches: A (9th)
– Team travel: A- (8th)
– Head coach: A (10th)
– Ownership: A- (12th)
As excitement grows among Rangers supporters, the 49ers’ positive reputation in the NFL only heightens expectations for what the group could bring to Ibrox, both on and off the pitch.
