The former Palace owner is apprehensive of Leeds acquiring top dog status as a potential Premier League cash cow.
Simon Jordan has warned Rangers that if they are taken over by 49ers Enterprise, they risk falling behind Leeds.
According to Record Sport, the NFL investment business is in advanced talks about taking control of Ibrox, with the boardroom change that fans have been clamouring for finally appearing to be a reality. The organization owns the San Francisco 49ers, a historic NFL franchise, and the Elland Road Club.
The current UEFA rules on multi-club ownership ban clubs controlled by the same owners or directors from playing in the same European competitions. Article 13 of the Scottish FA rulebook addresses dual interests in clubs, and any individual involved in another club must obtain the approval of the SFA board before the transaction is finalized. The latter is more significant to Rangers, and while Bill Foley’s purchase of a 25% share in Hibs received approval from Hampden, any deal for the Ibrox club would be determined by how it was structured.
However, former Palace owner Jordan would be apprehensive of Leeds’ genuine prospect of reaching the Premier League promised land, putting them at the top of any supposed 49ers’ totem pole of teams, given the possible returns on offer in comparison to Gers.
“Let’s make an assumption that it can be orchestrated,” he told talkSport. “What is the benefit to the Rangers?” Rangers, in Scottish football, are a unique phenomena. Scottish football is useless. Rangers and Celtic aren’t. And I don’t mean it in a disparaging way; the broadcast contracts state that.
“Why would they invest?” Because there is a European landscape. Rangers generate a turnover of £80/90 million. Because Celtic have a larger turnover. The rest of the clubs are in the £10 million to £15 million range, so they are unlikely to be of interest unless you are a Scottish fan. Dave Cormack buys Aberdeen because he has a relationship with them. My friend Gordon Scott purchased St Mirren because he has a relationship with the club, not because he intends to reap any commercial gains.
“Rangers represent a commercial opportunity due to the club’s brand, size, and scale. Not because of the Scottish Premiership, but because they can compete in Europe and get the benefits of continental football.
“Now the question is how much benefit Rangers will derive from a change of ownership. They’ll have some extra cash, but is it a mechanism? If they are engaged in clubs like Leeds, which have possibilities to enter the Premier League and are quite lucrative to be involved with, you do not want Rangers to be used as a feeder club attitude for clubs like Leeds United. Because your primary interest in the ownership model lies with Leeds.
“But the chance for Rangers is appealing since they will receive more money. They’ll definitely have better commercial results than they do today, but in the long run, I’m not sure how much value there is compared to some of their other initiatives. “Like Leeds.”
