The owners of the San Francisco 49ers are reportedly closing in on a deal to sell a six percent stake in the NFL franchise for a record-breaking valuation.
It's claimed club chiefs will sell around six percent of shares to three families in the USA at an $8.6bn valuation.
Sportico reports an agreement has been struck between 49ers officials and three families in the Bay Area.
🚨🏈 BREAKING: @49ers to sell nearly 6% stake at record sports team valuation. The owners of the San Francisco 49ers have reached an agreement to sell about 6% of the NFL franchise to a trio of Bay Area families at a valuation higher than $8.5 billion. pic.twitter.com/B1ttamxNml
— Sportico (@Sportico) May 15, 2025
The mega-money agreement comes as 49ers Enterprises - an investment wing and separate company from the San Francisco 49ers NFL franchise - continue to work on a separate deal to invest in Rangers.
Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises are aiming to acquire a 51 per cent stake in Rangers and it's understood a route to that key share figure has been finalised.
A Rangers statement confirmed: "Rangers and its existing controlling shareholders are in productive conversations with the two lead members of the Consortium, Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises Global Football Group, about the potential for the Consortium to acquire control of the club and to inject additional capital.
"These discussions reflect a shared recognition of the importance of Rangers FC's long-term direction, ambitions and management."
Read more:
-
Rangers condemn 'deeply upsetting' Ibrox disaster taunts during Dundee Utd match
-
Exclusive: Davide Ancelotti timeline revealed as Italian considers Rangers move
Former Rangers chairman Dave King previously offered a timeline of mid-June for the deal to be signed, sealed and officially confirmed.
"These discussions have been going on for some time," said King speaking on talkSport. "About six months ago was the first time I chatted to Andrew to see if there was a basis for getting a deal done that would work for both parties.
"Along the way, as with any negotiations like these, there were times when it was touch and go. But if you ask me where we are in terms of legals being signed and terms and conditions precedent that still has to be fulfilled, I would put it at about 90 per cent right now."
He later added: "There are still a few things to be done, conditions, approvals from various leagues, the SFA, the SPFL, there are still some conditions pressing to get the deal across the line.
"They will have to hit the ground running quite quickly, we have Champions League qualifiers coming up, let's say this deal happens, realistically, mid-June, I think May is not possible, let's say mid-June is realistic, when they are sitting down in the seat.
"That doesn't give them a lot of time to start and get some business done and prepare us for Champions League qualifiers. As far as the actual manager and who they are looking at, I have no idea."
