'Bigger and better' - 49ers chief makes Leeds United investment vow
49ers Enterprises CEO Jed York has been discussing their investment into Leeds United.
San Francisco 49ers Enterprises CEO Jed York has stressed Leeds United are ‘on the right track’ and promised there will ‘always’ be investment on and off the pitch at Elland Road.
Work on the expansion of the Whites’ famous old home is scheduled to get underway this summer after planning permission was formally granted by the authorities last month and the move will be key to increasing financial revenue to aid the club’s ongoing development. The initial application included details of plans to expand the West Stand and North Stand in a move that will see Elland Road’s capacity increased to around 53,000 as the Whites hierarchy look to meet demand with the season ticket waiting list now sitting at 26,000.
The off-field developments are being matched by on-field progress as Daniel Farke’s side have firmly moved on from a challenging return to the Premier League and a recent run of just two defeats in their last 13 league fixtures have taken the Whites six points clear of the drop zone with 12 games of the season remaining. Solid foundations are being put in place for a bid to establish the club as Premier League stalwarts once again and to start challenging for a European place to reignite memories of a glorious past.
For York, the expansion of Elland Road is about more than just the ‘financial boost’ the Whites will receive from an increased capacity as he delivered a positive assessment of where the club is at right now.
Bigger and better
Speaking to talkSPORT earlier this month, York said: “There’s nothing like Elland Road. Leeds to me is one of the biggest brands in all of sports, and our goal was to make sure we put Leeds back on the map and where they belong. Part of the process is making sure we keep the essence of Elland Road intact, and make it bigger and better. And truly for us, to stay in the Premier League for the foreseeable future.
“It’s not about the financial boost. It’s about making sure that a prominent team like Leeds United is where they belong. That is always the goal, the goal for us is always to win, whatever sports team we are involved in, it is always to win. Leeds is on the right track. Hopefully, we keep it rolling, and we see everything back where it belongs.”
Your next Leeds United read: Leeds United set for portion of huge cash boost as £450m TV deal agreed