49ers Enterprises are on course to acquire a controlling stake in Rangers, with the deal expected to be finalized in the coming months.
Paraag Marathe is reportedly the driving force behind the San Francisco 49ers’ investment arm’s bid to secure a stake in the Scottish Premiership club. Earlier this week, reports surfaced that Rangers shareholders are in advanced discussions with Marathe and a US-based consortium, and further details about the potential agreement have now emerged.
49ers Set to Secure 51% Stake in Rangers
According to The Athletic (21 February), 49ers Enterprises are just “a few months” away from purchasing a controlling 51% stake in the Glasgow club.
While Rangers have a fragmented shareholder structure, it is believed that a sufficient number of stakeholders are “willing to sell,” allowing the 49ers to gain the influence and control they seek.
The largest current shareholder is New Oasis, owned by former Rangers chairman Dave King, who has been looking to offload his shares for some time. He previously attempted to negotiate a sale with the fan-led group Club 1872.
49ers Enterprises already hold a controlling interest in Leeds United but recently sold a minority stake in the club to Austrian energy drink company Red Bull.
Takeover Deal Nearing Completion
An anonymous source close to the deal told The Athletic that the structure of the takeover is “well-baked,” suggesting that negotiations have been ongoing for some time and that key figures on both sides—Rangers’ board members and the American investors—have reached a broad agreement.
With Rangers enduring another difficult season—falling 13 points behind Celtic in the Premiership, exiting the Scottish Cup after a shock loss to Queen’s Park, and facing yet another trophyless campaign—there is a growing consensus that change at the club is overdue.
