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Expert reveals why 49ers’ investment in Elland Road redevelopment is a ‘big statement’

Leeds United legend Billy Bremner passed away of a heart attack

Last month, Leeds United announced that changes are coming to Elland Road and revealed that they’ll increase stadium capacity as part of their upgrade plans.

Elland Road has been the home of Leeds since 1919, and it was purchased by Greenfield Investment Pte Ltd in 2004. At that time, Greenfield was part of the same parent company as the club.

In March 2024, ownership of Elland Road Limited was transferred to Leeds United Football Club Limited. This move gives the club full control of Elland Road once again, marking the first time since 2004 that the club owns the stadium outright.

Leeds’ new majority owners, 49ers Enterprises, bring strong experience in stadium projects, having successfully opened Levi’s Stadium for their NFL team, the San Francisco 49ers.

Paraag Marathe, Chairman of Leeds United and President of 49ers Enterprises, expressed his excitement for the future of the club, emphasizing that their stadium is set to be one of the best in England.

“We recognise how important Elland Road is to the Leeds United fans and the wider community,” Marathe said in the announcement. “The opportunity to refresh a century-old stadium, coupled with the legacy of Leeds United, is unprecedented.

“Our plans reinforce our commitment to the long-term success of the club and I am excited that we are going to be able to welcome thousands more supporters to every game, in a stadium that retains the unique atmosphere of Elland Road. We look forward to sharing our plans with supporters and the local community for their input.”

Expert weighs in on Elland Road redevelopments

Football finance expert Dan Plumley believes that with changes coming to Elland Road, The 49ers Enterprises have made a “big statement” at Leeds United by investing £10 million in the stadium’s redevelopment.

“It’s a big statement,” Plumley told MOT Leeds News. “It’s a show of commitment to the cause as well. We know that stadium developments and expansion doesn’t come cheap and it will obviously cost an awful lot to do something like that.

“But the ownership group there are committed to funding that sort of development and you’ve got to look at the long-term position of that. Yes, it will be costly and it needs the backing of the owners to go and do it for the most part to do it as well, but you’re looking at the long-term gain looking further down the line.

“The revenue uplift that can give you in the long term is also what they’ll be focusing on. It’s a big statement, positive news and again, you want your ownership group to be backing those kinds of things. So in all in all, it shows some good commitment there.”

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