Leeds United £150m play-off loss hits golf investors Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth hard
Golfing superstars Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, along with a host of A-list investors, were left crestfallen on Sunday as Leeds United failed to clinch victory in the Championship play-off final against Southampton at Wembley.
The only goal of the match came from Adam Armstrong in the first half, securing Saints’ spot in the Premier League for the upcoming season. This win brings with it a staggering windfall of around £150million in revenue and broadcast income.
Despite finishing third in the regular season, one place ahead of Southampton, Leeds delivered a lacklustre performance under Daniel Farke’s management, unable to penetrate a resilient Saints defence. The team now faces another year in the second tier, forced to rethink their strategy after falling short on such a crucial occasion.
This outcome is undoubtedly a significant setback for Leeds’ owner, 49ers Enterprises Global a consortium led by NFL franchise the San Francisco 49ers, which includes several high-profile celebrities as minor investors. The 49ers group took over last year, striking a £170m deal with previous owner Andrea Radrizzani.
Among those who own a share in one of England’s most iconic clubs are golf champions Thomas and Spieth. Hollywood actors Will Ferrell and Russell Crowe, as well as Olympic swimming titan Michael Phelps, also hold stakes in Leeds.
Ahead of the PGA Championship in his native Kentucky last week, Thomas shared insights into his investment in the Yorkshire club. The two-time major champion revealed that his interest in the club was sparked by avid Leeds fan Billy Foster, who is also the caddie for 2022 US Open winner Matthew Fitzpatrick.
