Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Majendie

Golf stars Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas look to invest in Leeds takeover

Three of the United States’ leading golfers are looking to invest in Leeds United in a bid to bring them back to the Premier League.

An agreement is in place for a £170million buy-out of chairman Andrea Radrizanni’s controlling stake by 49ers Enterprises.

And Rickie Fowler said he and Ryder Cup team-mates Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas were part of the investors looking to be involved.

Speaking ahead of the US Open, which gets under way on Thursday, Fowler told Sky Sports, “There’s the group that’s moving forward so potentially we’ll be a part of it.

“It’s cool to have these opportunities. It would be fun if we get to be a part of it, if not we’ll continue to root for Leeds.

“Obviously, they got relegated but to get to a Premier League game, a Champions League game, any of that would be great. It’s a massive sport and I feel it’s continuing to get bigger in the States.

“Since I haven’t been to a game, I don’t have the true appreciation until I get to be there and feel that energy.”

Fowler, Spieth and Thomas were all introduced to Leeds by English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick’s caddie Billy Foster. Fitzpatrick is defending champion this week at the US Open after his historic win 12 months ago, his first at a major.

Already, 49ers Enterprises, which first got involved with the club in 2018, boasts a 44% stake in the club, who were relegated on the final day of the season.

Talks had initially begun with Radrizanni when they were still a Premier League outfit. But the value has understandably dropped following their fall into the Championship next season and being on the look-out for a new manager after Sam Allardyce failed to keep them in the top flight during his brief tenure.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.