Shortly after missing promotion
Red Bull joins second division club Leeds
30.05.2024, 18:36
The Red Bull Group is once again expanding its involvement in professional football. The drinks giant will now have a minority stake in Leeds United. The club stresses that neither the name nor the logo will be changed.
The beverage manufacturer Red Bull is investing in the English second division football club Leeds United. As the club announced, the “multi-year agreement” also includes a minority stake. From next season, the company’s logo will also appear on the front of the shirts of the first men’s and women’s teams. According to the statement, the name and logo of the club will remain unchanged – this clarification also shows how far-reaching the billion-dollar company has taken control in other cases.
“I am delighted that Red Bull is joining us to build a bright future for Leeds United and shares our deep respect for this truly special club,” said Paraag Marathe, chairman of Leeds United, about the collaboration with the group, which is already involved in football with Rasenballsport Leipzig, New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Bragantino and RB Salzburg. The entry is “a historic milestone that will further enable the club to reach its full competitive potential.”
Last week, Leeds, with German team manager Daniel Farke, missed out on promotion to the Premier League. The traditional club lost the playoff final against Southampton FC at Wembley Stadium with 0:1.
“The goal of bringing Leeds United back into the Premier League and establishing itself in the best football league in the world is a great fit for Red Bull. We are looking forward to the partnership and are optimistic and full of energy about the future,” said Oliver Mintzlaff, former managing director of Bundesliga club Rasenballsport Leipzig and current Red Bull CEO Corporate Projects and Investments. Red Bull had to come up with a different name for its German branch because sponsors are not allowed to be named there – which is why the artificial word Rasenballsport was invented.