Leeds United's ownership issues have finally been resolved with the completion of the takeover by the 49ers Enterprises. Discussions with outgoing majority owner Andrea Radrizzani were concluded last week, with the deal confirmed on Friday evening.
The 49ers Enterprises already had already held a 44 per cent stake in the club, which they increased back in November 2021. Now Leeds United can look forward to a new future, with the takeover saga behind them.
But how much wealth do they have and what would it mean for Leeds United? Forbes has compiled a list of the World's most valuable sports empires for 2023
The world's most valuable sports empires in 2023 according to Forbes:
1. Liberty Media
Value of $20.8 billion and has properties including Atlanta Braves, Formula 1, Drone Racing League*, Kroenke Arena Co.*, Meyer Shank Racing*, Overtime Sports.*
2. Kroenke Sports & Entertainment
Value of $12.75 billion and has properties including Los Angeles Rams, Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, Arsenal FC, The Guard, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Mammoth, Altitude Sports and Entertainment.
3. Jerry Jones
Value of $11.32 billion and has properties including Dallas Cowboys, Legends Hospitality*, The Star, GameSquare Esports.*
4. Fenway Sports Group
Value of $10.4 billion and has properties including Boston Red Sox, Liverpool FC, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing*, NESN, Fenway Sports Management, Pittsburgh Penguins.
5. Madison Square Garden Sports
Value of $9.17 billion and has properties including New York Knicks, New York Rangers, Counter Logic Gaming, Hartford Wolf Pack.
6. The Kraft Group
Value of $7.94 billion and has properties including New England Patriots, New England Revolution, UFC*, Kraft Analytics Group, DraftKings*, Oxygen Esports*
7. Yankee Global Enterprises
Value of $7.64 billion and has properties including New York Yankees, Legends Hospitality*, YES Network*, New York City FC*, Yankee Stadium Events, AC Milan.*
8. Glazer Family
Value of $7.53 billion and properties include Manchester United, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
9. Paul G. Allen Trust
Value of $7.41 billion and properties include Seattle Seahawks, Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle Sounders*
10. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment
Value of $6.42 billion and properties include Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto FC, Toronto Argonauts, Toronto Marlies.
11. 49ers Enterprises
Value of $5.97 billion and properties include San Francisco 49ers, Leeds United* FC, Elevate Sports Ventures*
12. City Football Group
Value of $5.96 billion and properties include Manchester City, New York City FC, Melbourne City FC
13. Shad Khan
Value of $5.95 billion and properties include Jacksonville Jaguars, Fulham FC, All Elite Wrestling
14. Benson Family
Value of $5.69 billion and properties include New Orleans Saints, New Orleans Pelicans
15. Guggenheim Baseball Management
Value of $4.92 billion and properties include Los Angeles Dodgers, Spectrum SportsNet LA.
* Indicates ownership of 50% or less
You can read the full list from Forbes here.
