The 49ers’ wider business started NFL Draft week on the right foot as Leeds United were promoted to the Premier League
The 49ers are hoping the 2025 NFL Draft can help them back towards contention for the ultimate glory and that elusive sixth Super Bowl title, but Jed York already has reason to celebrate this week.
49ers Enterprises, the business arm of the Niners, completed a full takeover of English soccer team Leeds United in June 2023, shortly after their relegation from the Premier League.
Leeds, for whom 49ers executive vice president of football operations Paraag Marathe serves as club chairman, missed out on promotion back to English soccer’s top tier last year, suffering defeat in the Championship playoff final.
However, they atoned for that disappointment on Monday as a 6-0 win over Stoke City — combined with Burnley’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United — ensured Leeds’ place in the top two of the Championship table, meaning they are automatically promoted to the Premier League.
Financially, it is a tremendous boost for Leeds and for 49ers Enterprises. As of last May, Deloitte detailed promotion to the Premier League as being worth a revenue increase of at last £140 million ($185.7 million) over the next three seasons. That figure can rise to around £305 million ($404.5 million) if the club survives its first season in the Premier League.
While the challenge this week for the 49ers and Marathe concerns putting San Francisco in the best position possible to continue contending for Super Bowls after the disappointment of last year’s 6-11 season, Marathe will eventually need to turn his attention to ensuring Leeds are prepared for the massive challenge of staying in the Premier League and avoiding relegation.
For now, though, the wider 49ers business can celebrate starting a huge week on the right foot.