Paraag Marathe rubbishes what Simon Jordan claimed about 49ers-Rangers takeover
49ers Enterprises have spent the first two months of the year closing in on a Rangers takeover deal.
The Gers have been searching for outside investment for as long as many can remember and the prospect of Paraag Marathe and co. investing in the Ibrox outfit is certainly something that has piqued the interest of many.
Their ownership model has already proven to work with Leeds United as the Whites find themselves at the top of the Championship table with a five-point gap to second-placed Sheffield United.
They’ve not only invested in the team to improve their chances on the pitch but they’ve also spoken about the potential to extend Elland Road which has been something Leeds’ fans have wanted for years.
While most of the coverage around the rumoured takeover has been positive for the Gers, Simon Jordan held his reservations about the acquisition and said that, on paper, it looks to be a good deal for the Ibrox outfit.
However, if they end up becoming a “feeder club” for Leeds, then there’s little to no value in it for Rangers themselves.
Patrick Stewart, Rangers CEO. Credit: Rangers YouTube
Marathe rebuffs idea of Rangers becoming a feeder club
Marathe is the current chairman of Leeds and if the 49ers takeover does end up happening, he’ll likely take up a similar role within Rangers.
Multi-club models are the talk of the town in world football at the moment with the likes of the City Group being among the ones who benefit from this sort of model the most.
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Shareholding Beneficial owner Percentage of share capital
New Oasis Asset Limited Dave King 12.96%
Douglas Park Douglas Park 11.54%
George Alexander Taylor George Alexander Taylor 10.22%
Borita Investments Limited Julian Wolhardt 6.69%
Perron Investments John Halsted 6.00%
Table of Rangers’ majority shareholders as of January 2025.
Marathe, while speaking at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit, in quotes relayed by the print edition of the Scottish Sun (page 50, 27 February), has seemingly rebuffed the claims of the teams they purchase becoming feeder clubs for one another.
“What we are looking for is clubs with the right bones, history of success and potential for growth,” he said.
“Leeds United stands alone, if we were to look at another club that would [also] stand alone.
“We haven’t looked at one club as a feeder club.”
Paraag Marathe is an influential figure in the Rangers takeover process.
Marathe update will be music to Rangers fans’ ears
The fact that Marathe himself has said that any clubs they acquire won’t become feeder clubs for one another is exactly what Rangers fans will have wanted to hear.
The Ibrox outfit have been in the shadows of their arch-rivals Celtic for far too long now and the only way for them to break out of that cycle will be to get some extra investment into the team, which is exactly what the 49ers would be able to provide them.
At the moment, it’s unclear whether the takeover will be taking place but from the recent reports that have emerged around the topic, it seems that everything is going swimmingly.
Indeed, only time will tell what the future holds but for now, Rangers’ players should be focused on doing the best they can in what’s left of the 2024/25 season and gearing themselves up for their Europa League clash against Fenerbahce on 6 March.
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