Inside 49ers Enterprises investors talks before Rangers tak

Inside 49ers Enterprises investors talks before Rangers takeover from ‘selling up’ Leeds United to WhatsApp antics

American tycoon Andrew Cavenagh and the NFL giants investment wing are inching closer to control of Rangers

Sport

Mark Pirie Assistant Live Sports Editor

15:22, 03 May 2025

Updated 15:28, 03 May 2025

(Image: Getty Images)

Leeds United minority investor Larry Nance Jr has lifted the lid on the behind the scenes talks of 49ers Enterprises investors.

American tycoon Andrew Cavenagh and the NFL giants investment wing are inching closer to control of Rangers – and some A-list names could follow in the Ibrox boardroom.

Atlanta Hawks basketball player Nance Jr is among several high-profile figures who are minority investors in the 49ers Enterprises project at Elland Road.

READ MORE:Key Rangers takeover figure warmly embraces Daniel Farke after title win but Leeds fans convinced 49ers will pull trigger

READ MORE:Kyogo finally shakes his Celtic curse before Rennes boss follows another striker slight with transfer cull gauntlet

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Actors Will Ferrell and Russell Crowe have made headline with their backing of the Yorkshire side and golf superstars Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.

Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps is also involved alongside reality TV star Paris Hilton – who has previously sent video messages to Leeds.

Speaking to The Square Ball, the power forward offered an insight on the conversations behind the scenes for investors: “One thing I will say, in the group chat guys like Spieth and Thomas or Phelps – the guys that are forward facing – games are going on and while Spieth is having he round of his career he will send us the result and read all 70 or 80 messages after it.

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“It’s a pretty good group that cares. Sure, some are more forward facing than others but the ones that you are aware of all really care. It’s a fun bunch.”

Leeds United players celebrate being crowned champions

Asked for anyone in the WhatsApp that caught his eye he said: “Will (Ferrell) was the one that I was like ‘alright, that is pretty cool’.”

The basketball superstar was then told his investment now looked “safer” with Daniel Farke leading Leeds back to the Premier League promise land.

Nance Jr quickly said: “I don’t care, dude, I hope that I never look at it again.”

Host Michael Normanton then pressed the investor in the potential move to sell United: “There is a very realistic chance that in the coming years 49ers Enterprises sell up – so I know they control the the funds, so I presume everybody has to exit at the same time or?”

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Nance Jr was coy: “I don’t even know – possibly. But that has never been anything we have discussed – but I am adamant – ‘this may be a money thing for you guys, take mine with you, just leave me my little chunk please’.”

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