DONE DEAL: Who owns Rangers? San Francisco 49ers takeover bid and shareholders finalized

DONE DEAL: Who owns Rangers? San Francisco 49ers takeover bid and shareholders finalized

Rangers are at the centre of an astonishing takeover bid as one of the biggest NFL teams holds talks over a multi-million-pound investment.

Record Sport broke the world exclusive on Tuesday night that the San Francisco 49ers have been locked in high-level discussions with the cash-strapped Ibrox club since before the turn of the year. And now, it’s understood negotiations have reached an advanced stage as the family behind the American football side who owns Leeds United turn their attentions to the Glasgow giants.

The key figure at the centre of the proposals is Elland Road chairman Paraag Marathe, who also runs the NFL side’s investment arm, 49ers Enterprises. It’s believed the executive vice-president of football operations in San Francisco is part of a consortium that includes at least one other high-net-worth American businessman and aims to transform the Light Blues, who have spent years in the shadow of dominant rivals Celtic.

The group is looking to buy enough shares to become the biggest single shareholder, but the current make-up of the hierarchy means there are plenty of hurdles to overcome to conclude the potentially game-changing deal. Here, Record Sport looks at the current configuration of major shareholders at Rangers.

Who owns Rangers?

Dave King – 13%

Former chairman King is the single biggest shareholder, with nearly 13%. The South African-based businessman is thought to be keen to offload his stake for the right price and if it was in the best interests of the club. Gers have won just one Premiership title since King swept to power a decade ago.

Douglas Park – 12%

Park also retains a significant shareholding. The former director resigned as chairman in 2023 after three years at the helm. Under his leadership, Steven Gerrard stopped Celtic in their ten-in-a-row tracks.