Leeds United are majority-owned by 49ers Enterprise, an American company, and have minority owners from the United States, such as Hollywood actor Will Farrell.
The question is, would the ownership group want to have one regular season game in the U.S. one day? The topic is in the headlines after Birmingham City’s chief executive, Garry Cook, expressed his desire to see the club face Wrexham in an official league match in the U.S.
“Well personally I think that is a great idea, but I think the EFL (English Football League) wouldn’t see it that way, and I think the history and tradition of our sport and our league tries to ensure that that doesn’t happen,” Cook told the BBC (h/t ESPN). “That doesn’t stop making it a global game even though you’re playing here in Birmingham.”
NFL legend Tom Brady, who part-owns Birmingham, watched from the stands on Monday as his team secured a 3-1 victory over Wrexham in League One. Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, who co-own Wrexham, saw their team fall short in the match.
Would Leeds United play an official match in the U.S.?
As a result, could other clubs in the EFL, such as Leeds, with American ties due to their ownership and minority owners, consider an official match across the pond? Would 49ers Enterprise want a game at the 49ers’ home stadium, Levi’s Stadium, or another stadium with close business ties?
On Tuesday, talkSPORT’s Andy Goldstein noted that clubs in the EFL should not start taking official matches to the U.S.
“I think as soon as you allow [an official match in the U.S.], it’s the beginning of the end,” Goldstein told his co-host, Darren Bent. “I’m saying as soon as you allow the American owners or any owners to take your team that you grew up watching out of Wales and play their home games in Detroit or New York or whatever [because] one [game] becomes two, two becomes three.”
For now, clubs in the EFL have gone to the U.S. for their preseason tours in the summer. However, it will be interesting to see whether this remains the norm or if one club decides to take an official match and have it played on American soil.
