Jordan Spieth confirms investment in Leeds United – but Rickie Fowler is out!
By Matt Coles
Jordan Spieth has confirmed he and good friend Justin Thomas have purchased shares in 49ers Enterprises, who are about to take over Championship side Leeds United.
Spieth also revealed Rickie Fowler, who was originally mentioned as part of the group involved, had pulled out of the investment due to the Yorkshire side’s relegation from England’s top flight.
49ers Enterprises are the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers, one of the most successful teams in NFL history. Subject to checks by the English Football League, the group will take full control of Leeds United from Andrea Radrizzani.
The trio were pictured on Centre Court at Wimbledon earlier this week, ahead of this week’s Genesis Scottish Open.
Speaking with Sky Sports News at the Renaissance Club on Wednesday, Spieth said: “Relegation [from the Premier League] wasn’t ideal, but we got involved with the 49ers Group about purchasing a larger share and getting in with them doing things so successfully as they do everywhere they’ve touched.
“We thought it would be a cool opportunity. It’s a big city, historic club, great venue in Elland Road, and once we looked into it, we realised it could be really exciting.
“They [the 49ers Group] renegotiated after relegation, and it was possibly a better deal – as long as they can get promoted [back to the Premier League] soon.
“I’m excited to have a team I’m emotionally invested in. I’ve watched the Premier League intently for a few years. Hopefully, we’ll be back very soon.”
Asked whether the deal was over the line or not, the three-time major champion said: “It’s done. Myself and Justin [Thomas] with a minority stake. The 49ers beat my Cowboys every year, so if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!”
Spieth, Thomas and Fowler will all be in action at the Renaissance Club this week, with the Genesis Scottish Open beginning on Thursday morning.
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Matt Coles
Mention a European country, and Matt will tell you which resorts make the National Club Golfer Top 100s: European Resorts list. He might even throw in who designed the golf course and how many rooms the hotel has got at each one…
Matt got into the game of golf from a young age, following his old man to the local golf club. He fell for the sport, and now can’t seem to go a day without thinking about how to improve his game (Thanks Dad!). Matt has been a member of Howley Hall GC in Leeds since 2020, and is just about managing to maintain a single-figure handicap. He likes to remind people that he once broke 75, but won’t tell people that it was on a shortened course during the winter.
He moved to Leeds after graduating from the University of Central Lancashire with a First Class Honours degree in Sports Journalism. Matt joined NCG after almost five years travelling the world with the Professional Squash Association, working on events in all four corners of the globe.
Matt currently plays a Cobra King LTDx driver and RadSpeed 3-wood. TaylorMade monopolise the rest of his bag, with a SIM UDI, M5 irons and both Milled Grind and HI-TOE wedges, along with a Monza Redline putter. He uses a Vice Pro Plus golf ball, because he’s a bit different…
Away from golf, Matt is a Manchester United fan, and a keen runner, having ran the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon (his first and possibly last), in May 2023.
