Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has downplayed any suggestion of major complications for Rangers and Leeds as a result of the proposed 49ers Enterprises takeover.
American investors - led by Paraag Marethe - are in discussions with Rangers chiefs over obtaining a major stake in the Ibrox club.
A deal to see the 49ers-led investors takeover could be completed within the coming months with talks having stretched back to October.
🔵 "Rangers is an iconic football club with a history and heritage which could attract many American investors" Football finance expert Kieran Maguire assesses a possible takeover by US investors including San Francisco 49ers and Leeds United official Paraag Marathe 🔽 pic.twitter.com/V44lu8I045
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 20, 2025
The 49ers Enterprises group hold a commanding stake in English Championship club Leeds United prompting question marks over their investment with dual club ownership hurdles in place.
Article 13 of the SFA's legalisation states that any individual involved in another club must have the consent of the SFA board before any deal can be passed.
However, Maguire has stated he doesn't see dual ownership as a downside as he downplayed the only complication should the deal go through.
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There could be complications should both clubs be competing in the same European competition in the future but this issue has been overcome by owners elsewhere previously.
Similarly, there could be an issue in perception over which club receives more backing from investors, but again Maguire is confident that should be quashed by professionalism evidenced by American investors in UK clubs.
On Sky Sports, he said: "I think it would only complicate it if both clubs ended up in the Europa League in a few seasons.
"And then there would have to be some checks and balances employed but we have seen that happen at Manchester United with Jim Ratcliffe's investment, we've seen that happen in terms of the Aston Villa owners, they had an overseas investment club.
"I don't see it as being a downside.
"When you have got two clubs with as passionate a fan bases as Leeds United and Rangers, I think they would both want to be seen to be top dog in terms of where the attentions of the owners and the investment is going to be.
"I think that could be the only complication but I think that is something that could be easily overcome given the professionalism we have seen from American investors to date."
