Red Bull has purchased a minority stake in Leeds United, and are set to serve as the club’s shirt sponsor starting next season as part of the new acquisition.

The West Yorkshire-based club will be the latest to join the global energy drink brand’s roster of football clubs, which includes Red Bull Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, Red Bull Bragantino and New York Red Bulls. At the moment, there are no plans to change the club’s name to incorporate the brand. 

Leeds is currently owned by the private equity branch of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, with multiple high-profile investors purchasing shares in the club from Will Ferrell to Russell Westbrook. Red Bull’s new stake in Leeds is part of a larger plan by 49ers Enterprises to broaden the club’s investor pool since their takeover in 2023. 

Though the brand will sponsor the kits next season, Red Bull will not have a place on the club’s board, nor will there be any changes to Leeds’ signature white jerseys or Elland Road’s name in the future, unlike the other clubs in the brand’s portfolio.

Multi-club ownership has become the new normal in the game over the years, as well as ownership and investment from commercial giants and celebrities. For Red Bull’s influence to finally reach the shores of English football shows a turning tide in the way the game is run and what the future of the beautiful game will look like in the years to come.

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