Rickie Fowler explains why he didn’t invest in Leeds United but remains open to Premier League involvement | Football News
Rickie Fowler has explained why he did not join fellow golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas in taking a stake in Leeds United and says he is still open to investing in the Premier League football club.
The American was recently linked with a minority stake in Leeds but pulled out of a potential deal after stepping down from the top job.
Spieth and Thomas have invested in the Elland Road outfit after buying shares in new owners 49ers Enterprises and Fowler was branded a “coward” by some fans at The Open on Friday for his decision.
“It’s already happened,” the 34-year-old said after completing his third round at The Open on Saturday.
“Hopefully with JT and Jordan on board, this will all go well. My finance team didn’t provide the necessary advice, so we decided not to move forward.
“That doesn’t change my interest at all. There may be other opportunities out there.”
“Football – (or, as we call it soccer) – obviously it’s not as big in the States, but not many of us follow it as deeply as everyone here appreciates the game at the highest level.
“When such opportunities arise, I would love to be a part of something. We will see what happens in the future.”
When asked if he had a particular favorite team, Fowler said: “I don’t, but if there’s any sort of financial involvement, I’m sure they’ll get a whole lot of support from me. I can be bought!”
Fowler moved to one under par at Royal Liverpool by shooting a four-under-par 67 on a wet Saturday morning.
49ers Enterprises Completes Acquisition of Andrea Radrizzani
Leeds United announced this week that the EFL has approved the sale of the club to American investment group 49ers Enterprises.
Andrea Radrizani, chairman and majority shareholder since 2017, last month agreed to sell his controlling stake, a deal valuing the club at around £170m.
49ers Enterprises, which owns the NFL franchise San Francisco 49ers, has steadily increased its stake in Leeds since becoming a minority shareholder in 2018.
Analysis: Recruiting Drive Begins Now After Full Takeover of 49ers
Sky Sports News reporter Tim Thornton:
“49ers Enterprises has been involved with Leeds for five years now, but now, with full control, it means they can operate.
“It has already been underway for the last few weeks with the appointment of Daniel Farke, but now that is complete, recruitment can begin and there will be a lot of changes in that department – there will be a complete reorganisation.
“We are hoping that Gretchen Steinsson, former Tottenham performance director, will come in to work alongside Nicky Hammond, who is leading the summer recruitment.
“We are expecting the signing of Ethan Ampadu on loan from Chelsea to start coming in, the deal could be concluded later today.
“It’s been an exciting journey down the road for the club, and now it’s about getting things in the right order to get the club back on track in the Premier League.
“Leeds fans will forever be grateful for Radrizzani’s style of football and the success he brought in Bielsa.
“He deserves credit for that, when he came to the club he looked very different than he does now and he made a lot of positive changes here, but it hasn’t been good lately.
“There has been criticism about recruitment, Victor Orta, and some of the decisions he’s made over the last 12 months haven’t worked out and it’s spoiled his time at Leeds.
“It could be a scenario where in a few years fans will look back on his time there and have a bit of affection, but the situation now is that he is no longer the most popular owner.”
Radrizani: ‘My best was not good enough’ after manager and transfer mistakes
Outgoing boss Radrizani agreed to talk as he bid farewell to Leeds sky sports news In an exclusive interview about his time at Elland Road, the following topics were covered:
- Hiring Marcelo Bielsa was his best decision – and the difficulty of sacking him
- Why Jesse Marsh was brought in to play in Bielsa’s style – and how it never happened
- Why was it a big mistake to keep Marsh till after the World Cup in Qatar?
- How Leeds should have been more careful signing and bought more experienced players
- Why Sam Allardyce could last Leeds longer
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