Over the past few years, Leeds United have leveraged their status as one of the biggest clubs in England to secure lucrative deals.
In 2023, 49ers Enterprises assumed full control of the English club after buying the remaining 56% stake in the club from Andrea Radrizzani. The net worth of the investment firm is worth around $6billion.
Rudy Cline-Thomas, vice chairman of Leeds, said one of the reasons 49ers Enterprises took over the club was to make it a ‘global brand’:
“With my family hailing from Leeds, it’s an honour to be able to uplift this incredible community. This is more than just an opportunity, it’s a personal mission.
“The chance to reinvigorate the cherished Leeds culture, to create a platform that attracts the world’s finest players and build a truly global brand that celebrates diversity is a prospect that thrills me.”
In May 2024, Red Bull – an organization worth billions of euros, also bought a minority stake in Leeds United. The deal included becoming the shirt sponsor of the club.
QUIZ: Can you name the Leeds game these 10 goal celebrations are from?
Leeds United set to make millions with their latest deal
Credit: Imago Images
Adidas are the latest to renew their deal with Leeds United. The German manufacturer entered into their first deal with Leeds back in 2020, and have now renewed their contract with the English club.
The deal is said to be worth around £10million a year. Adidas will be glad to extend their business with Leeds after this season’s away kit broke a club record. The club sold over 15,000 of the 2024/25 away kit in 24 hours.
Football finance expert Dan Plumley says this new deal with Adidas for Leeds is one step away from the type of ‘elite’ contracts the manufacturers have with the likes of Manchester United:
“It’s a really good deal,” he exclusively told MOT Leeds News.
“You look at the way in which this has come about and linked to some of those record kit sales, it’s obvious that Adidas are invested in that as well and see potential in Leeds United.
“You’re always looking at the ballpark numbers for what the deal actually is and what it’s worth, it will be in the region of a few million, for sure.”
Manchester United earn £90million a year with their Adidas deal, something Leeds executives will be hoping to reach soon.
“It won’t be that top-tier Adidas package given where they are at the minute, but it shows the relationship is going well and that can drive other leverage going forward.
“It just seems to be a really positive deal at the minute and really working well.”
Both sides of the deal are profiting, and with Premier League promotion in sight, this could be the start of a mega deal with Adidas. Especially with the reported kits for next season.
