Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas now own an English Football Team
After taking over full ownership of Leeds United last month, the 49ers Enterprises have added Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas to its group.
The pair of American golfers have bought minority shares in the English Championship side, according to ESPN. Spieth and Thomas were going to be joined by Rickie Fowler, but he pulled out after Leeds were relegated from the Premier League last season.
“It’s done. Myself and Justin with a minority stake,” Spieth said. “The 49ers beat my [Dallas] Cowboys every year, so if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.”
Leeds was relegated after a dismal 2022-23 season that has since seen a change of ownership and the departure of a few players.
“Relegation 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,” Spieth told Sky Sports, according to ESPN. “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 realized it could be really exciting.”
This may seem like a bizarre matchup, but there was an influence that made Spieth, Thomas and Fowler become Leeds fans.
English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick’s caddie, Billy Foster, is a Yorkshire man and diehard Leeds fan. Foster was Fitzpatrick’s caddie for the 2022 US Open which the Englishman won.
The caddie has been seen wearing Leeds gear at major tournaments in the past and has influenced Spieth and Thomas to become fans and owners.
The two golfers are not the only professional athletes in the Leeds ownership group. New Orleans Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr. announced in June that he would be part of the group, taking to Twitter for the announcement.
Thrilled and honored to be part of the ownership group that has taken over @LUFC
— Larry Nance (@Larrydn22) June 9, 2023
This club and it’s supporters deserve the world and we’ll do everything we can to give them just that.
Marching on together! https://t.co/OpNSBVERSo
He, along with three-time major winner Spieth and two-time PGA Championship winner Thomas, will be looking to help Leeds return to the Premier League when the EFL Championship season begins on August 5.
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