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Leeds United takeover completed by American investment group, 49ers Enterprises
Can they help get the Whites back in the Premier League?
Leeds United's takeover has officially been completed by American investment group 49ers Enterprises.
The EFL approved the full formal purchase of Leeds on Sunday, 17 July, for £170 million, taking full control of the club and seeing the Andrea Radrizzani era come to an end after six years.
49ers Enterprises have been involved in the club since 2018 when they purchased a 15% stake and increased their holdings in 2021 when they took control of 44% of the shares.
Now having taken charge of Radrizzani's stake, their new American owners are restructuring the club ahead of the new season.
Named as such through their ownership of the San Francisco 49ers NFL team, the enterprise is gradually growing its sports portfolio and will now be attempting to turn its hand away from American football to the beautiful game.
Paraag Marathe, previously vice chairman and a board member, will take over as Leeds United's new chairman, with Rudy Cline-Thomas — founder and managing partner of MASTRY — joining the Board as co-owner and vice chair.
Angus Kinnear is set to stay on as CEO, stating that he believes the 49ers will bring "fresh leadership, management, and a commitment to investment" that will match their ambitions and allow them to once again become an "established top-flight club".
With Leeds eyeing up a swift return to the Premier League after being relegated back to the Championship following a three-year stay back in the first division, they have appointed former Norwich head coach as their new manager.
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Speaking on the announcement, Marathe said: "This transition is a necessary reset to chart a new course for the Club. We have already appointed a highly-respected First Team Manager with a track record of success, and we are confident Leeds will field a competitive squad to contend for promotion next season.
"It’s a privilege to carry this torch as I know we have a responsibility to ensure this Club makes our staff, players, supporters, and the Leeds and Yorkshire communities proud."
As for the outgoing Radrizzani, he bid farewell by saying: "It has been an honour to guide Leeds United over the last six years and to spend so much time with the best fanbase in the world. 49ers Enterprises have been fantastic partners for years and I'm confident they will take Leeds to the next level."
Will they help get the Whites back where they belong at the first time of asking?
Featured Image — Leeds United
News
Kevin Sinfield will return to Leeds for his final 7 in 7 challenge in honour of Rob Burrow
Clementine Hall
Leeds legend Kevin Sinfield is set to take on his seventh and final 7 in 7 challenge this month.
The former Leeds Rhinos captain will begin 7 in 7: The Grand Finale next Sunday 27 September.
Wondering what on earth that is? Allow us to fill you in.
Sinfield will be running an ultra-marathon every day for seven days, and this time it's across the north of England including a special stop off right here in Leeds.
Not only that, but the challenge will bring Sinfield back to some of the places that have played a huge part in his rugby league career.
The route will visit all 12 English Betfred Super League grounds, starting at Hull KR before travelling through Yorkshire and eventually crossing the Pennines towards Manchester where Sinfield is from.
Here in Leeds, we can expect Sinfield to arrive at Headingley Stadium on Wednesday 30 September at 11:14am, before leaving towards Pudsey Civic Hall at 11:40am.
The challenge will then finish at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October, where Sinfield will arrive ahead of the Super League Grand Final.
Since the first annual challenge back in 2020, Kevin Sinfield and his team have raised over £11 million for the MND community with six charities set to benefit once again from this years fundraising.
It's an amazing challenge for an amazing cause, and you can donate and find out more about the challenge here.
Good luck Kevin and the team, we know you'll smash it.
Read more from The Hoot Leeds:
Featured image - Wikimedia Commons
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Channel 4 needs people from Yorkshire who think they can survive the apocalypse for a new TV series
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Have you always wondered how long you’d last in an apocalypse?
Well now's your chance, as Apocalypse is potentially coming back to Channel 4 for a second series, with producers having put out a nationwide casting call for contestants willing to take part.
The casting call simply reads: "Do you think you have what it takes to survive the end of the world?"
Described as a dystopian series designed to test the creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience of our nation, Apocalypse sees players are pushed out of their comfort zones and put to the ultimate test.
In the series, ordinary people are tasked with surviving for 28 days in an abandoned city - used previously only for the military to practice urban warfare - with no food, running water, electricity or heat.
Produced by The Garden - which is part of ITV Studios - for Channel 4, the show’s creators are now calling on people from Yorkshire with the 'courage and ingenuity' to compete, to get in touch and apply for the potential second series.
Does your mate always bang on after watching a post-apocalyptic film that they would’ve done things differently? Or is the news at the moment freaking you out and you want to give the end of the world a bit of a practice run? Either way, sign up, test that plan you’ve built in your head, and see if you’ve really got what it takes.
Applications are now open, and all you need to do is fill in a short application form and one of the production team will get back to you if they would like to proceed. Come on, let's prove what we're made of.
Applications close on Sunday 4 October 2026 at midnight, and you must be 18 or above, with a valid UK or ROI passport, to enter.
Find out more and apply here.
Featured Image - Matthew Salacuse / Channel 4
Danny Jones -
19th July 2023 
