Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas have bought a minority stake in Leeds United — but fellow golfer Rickie Fowler pulled out of the deal following the club’s relegation to the Championship.
American investment group 49ers Enterprises, who also own NFL team San Francisco 49ers, are awaiting EFL approval of their takeover after agreeing to increase their stake in the club by buying Andrea Radrizzani’s controlling share.
And three-time major winner Spieth and two-time winner Thomas, who are close friends, have got on board with the 49ers.
“Relegation wasn’t ideal but then we got involved with the 49ers group who were purchasing a larger share in Leeds United to do the stuff they do so successfully everywhere else they have touched and thought it would be a really cool opportunity,” Spieth told Sky Sports after flying over to the United Kingdom to compete in this week’s Scottish Open.
“It’s done. Myself and Justin [Thomas]we’re involved in a very minority stake but within the bigger 49ers organization.
“They [the 49ers] renegotiated [after relegation] and then we got to decide whether we do it or not.
“We always wanted to do it and it ended up possibly a better deal, as long as they can get promoted to [Premier League] soon.”
The agreement from the 49ers is understood to be £400 million before the club was relegated but a renegotiation saw the price drop to £170 million and when asked about Fowler’s supposed involvement Spieth added: “I don’t think so. I think he decided, once they were relegated, against it.”
Speith, Thomas and Fowler have been on a trip to the United Kingdom this week, playing Surrey’s Sunningdale golf course as well as attending Wimbledon ahead of the Scottish Open and next week’s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.
“It’s a big city, historic club, great venue in Elland Road, and once we looked into it we realized it could be really exciting,” the 29-year-old said. “We’re just watching, but I’m really excited to have a team I’m emotionally invested in. I’ve watched Premier League soccer for the last few years pretty intently, so it’ll be Championship soccer now and then hopefully Premier League very soon.
“It was cloudy [on the flight up]we were hoping we would see it [Elland Road] on the way up. We are not too far from it in Liverpool, but I don’t know if it will work on this trip, but I’d love to go there someday.”
Spieth, Thomas and Fowler were introduced to Leeds by English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick’s caddy Billy Foster, who is from Yorkshire and a fan of the club.
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