Paraag Marathe is playing a key role in the San Francisco 49ers’ planned acquisition of Rangers this summer.
The deal appears to be progressing smoothly, with members of the American investment group — including Andrew Cavenagh — having recently visited Ibrox. Although the agreement hasn’t been finalized yet, former chairman Dave King and several other shareholders have reportedly agreed to sell their shares in the club.
Andrea Radrizzani claims that Marathe is busy with the Gers takeover
Marathe, who also serves as chairman of Leeds United—a club that recently earned promotion back to the Premier League—has reportedly turned some of his focus toward Rangers amid ongoing takeover discussions.
According to former Leeds United owner and Italian businessman Andrea Radrizzani, Marathe remains actively involved. “I usually speak with him a couple of times a month, and we keep in touch throughout the season,” Radrizzani told Sky Sports. “We talk about Leeds, broader football topics, and we just spoke this week while he was in Leeds. But he’s also been busy exploring new opportunities with Rangers, so we’re in regular contact.”
Cavenagh likely to have a hands-on role at Rangers post the takeover
The San Francisco 49ers’ proposed takeover of Rangers, spearheaded by Parag Marathe, marks a significant and encouraging step forward for the Ibrox club, reflecting the American consortium’s genuine intent and long-term commitment.
Despite his active duties as chairman of Leeds United, Marathe has been directly engaged in the Rangers deal, with former Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani confirming Marathe’s recent visits to Ibrox and clear interest in the club. This involvement indicates that the 49ers regard Rangers as a major strategic investment, not merely a side project, with ambitions to apply their sports management expertise to drive the club’s growth.
| Major shareholders | Percentage |
| New Oasis Asset Limited | 12.96 |
| Douglas Park | 11.54 |
| George Alexander Taylor | 10.22 |
| Stuart Gibson | 9.53 |
| John Bennett | 7.11 |
| Borita Investments Limited | 6.69 |
| Perron Investments LLC | 6 |
With progress on the deal and shareholders like Dave King prepared to sell, the 49ers’ financial muscle could be instrumental in helping Rangers close the gap with Celtic domestically and compete more consistently in Europe, building on their recent Europa League success.
While Marathe’s attention may remain divided due to Leeds’ return to the Premier League, the expected appointment of Cavenagh to a hands-on role at Ibrox offers stability and focused leadership. His calm approach, football acumen, and strong first impression with the club bode well for the future.
Together, Marathe’s strategic vision and Cavenagh’s day-to-day involvement could usher in a transformative new chapter for Rangers under bold, capable ownership.
