49ers to sell stake in NFL franchise for huge sum amid Rangers takeover after historic RECORD valuation

THE owners of the San Francisco 49ers are about to have a big say in things at Rangers.

Back in the United States, they’re about to make a bit of history.

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It was back in February when the bombshell reveal that 49ers Enterprises – the NFL giants’ financial arm – were locked in talks about a stunning takeover of Rangers.

Three months on, the deal hasn’t gone through but it now only seems a matter of time before it’s confirmed.

The 49ers have joined forces with American health tycoon Andrew Cavenagh to take control at Ibrox, with Cavenagh making another appearance at Ibrox last night as the Gers beat Dundee United.

While the deal to purchase Rangers awaits confirmation, a huge deal has reportedly been agreed with regards the NFL team – and it’s one that highlights the financial muscle of the 49ers operation.

Around the time of the Gers takeover story emerging, the 49ers NFL franchise had a valuation of $6.8billion.

That value has now SOARED to $8.5bn – and that’s the price at which they’re selling a minority ownership stake.

Sportico are reporting that the 49ers have agreed a deal to sell a six per-cent stake in the NFL team to a combination of three different wealthy buyers.

The report also notes that this is “the highest valuation ever for a global sports team in a transaction.”

That $8.5bn valuation means the 49ers can expect to recoup more than $500million for the six per-cent stake.

Last year, the NFL sanctioned a rule that would allow teams to sell up to 10 per-cent of their shares to private equity groups.

And it looks like the 49ers are now set to take advantage of that.

The President of 49ers Enterprises Paraag Marathe has been heavily involved in the Rangers takeover talks and he’s more than likely to be at the centre of this deal too in his role as Executive Vice President of Football Operations at the 49ers.

Marathe is also the Leeds United chairman, with 49ers Enterprises owning the soon-to-be Premier League outfit.

Both Marathe and Cavenagh have been to Ibrox, with the latter taking in several different matches.

The American consortium will acquire a controlling 51 per-cent stake in the Gers when the takeover goes through.

Last month, Rangers confirmed for the first time that the club was involved in talks with the proposed buyers.

They said: “Rangers and its existing controlling shareholders are in productive conversations with the two lead members of the Consortium, Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises Global Football Group, about the potential for the Consortium to acquire control of the club and to inject additional capital.

“These discussions reflect a shared recognition of the importance of Rangers FC’s long-term direction, ambitions and management.”

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