Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth’s investment backfires as football team loses £150m game
Leeds United's array of celebrity owners were left disappointed on Sunday as Daniel Farke's team failed to rise to the occasion against Southampton in the Championship play-off final
Adam Armstrong’s first-half strike was the difference between the teams in the richest game in football, with Saints earning their place in the Premier League next season. With it comes enormous riches, with a sum in the region of £150million heading their way in revenue and broadcast income.
Leeds finished third in the regular season, one place clear of Southampton, but Daniel Farke’s side delivered an underwhelming performance, failing to break down a dogged Saints defence. They will have to settle for a second successive season in the second tier and must go back to the drawing board after failing to deliver on the biggest stage.
The result is sure to be a huge blow to Leeds’ owner, 49ers Enterprises Global – a consortium headed by NFL franchise the San Francisco 49ers, with many celebrities also on board as minor investors. The 49ers group completed its takeover last year, agreeing a £170m deal with former owner Andrea Radrizzani.
Golf superstars Thomas and Spieth are among those who have a piece of one of England’s most historic clubs. Actors Will Ferrell and Russell Crowe and Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps also own stakes in Leeds.
Thomas opened up on his investment in the Yorkshire club ahead of the PGA Championship in his native Kentucky last week. The two-time major champion said his interest in the club was partly inspired by avid Leeds fan Billy Foster, the caddie of 2022 US Open winner Matthew Fitzpatrick.
“[Billy and] have definitely become a lot closer over the last year, and he’s given us a lot of insight and knowledge in terms of Leeds and sending us videos from games,” Thomas said, before adding that he was delighted his tee times at the tournament would allow him to watch the playoff semi-final victory over Norwich City at Elland Road.
Spieth, a close friend of Thomas, told Sky Sports after he invested last year: “Relegation wasn’t ideal, but we got involved with the 49ers group. I thought it would be a really cool opportunity. It’s a big city, a historic club, a great venue at Elland Road.
“Once you start to look into it, you think this could be really exciting and with relegation, we were able to renegotiate whether we wanted to do it. It was never really a decision, we wanted to do it and it just ended up being probably a better deal if we get promoted soon.
“We’re just watching, but I’m really excited to have a team that I am emotionally invested in. I’ve watched Premier League soccer now for the last few years pretty intently. It will be Championship soccer for now and Premier League soon.”
