49ers owner ‘rejects’ Rangers takeover in surprise claim | OneFootball

Sports ownership ventures have taken a fascinating turn with the San Francisco 49ers and Rangers FC. Recently, the owner of the 49ers, Jed York, had to step up and debunk some rumors about his team taking over the Scottish football club, Rangers. There have been quite a few whispers suggesting the NFL team is poised to buy out the historic Scottish club. But that’s not happening. York said quite clearly that there’s no direct involvement by his team in this business (Copeland, 2025).

York put forward his view that an American consortium, led by Andrew Cavenagh, indeed has its eyes on Rangers FC. And yes, the 49ers investment group is backing this bid. But as far as York is concerned, there’s a big difference between that and the 49ers as a whole being involved. “I think it’s very important to note that none of the cash flowing to the American entities involved in Leeds United and Rangers FC has anything to do with the 49ers,” York said. “These are financial backers—credit facilities like Cavenagh and his group are using to buy the clubs—that have nothing to do with us” (Carrigan, 2025).

Everyone seems to want to connect these dots. It’s like the old joke about seeing two celebrities together; they must be dating! The Daily Record, for instance, published a piece firmly claiming that the 49ers were now investing directly in Rangers, and even if that were the case, it would make for quite a unique crossover of sports—an NFL team investing in a Scottish soccer club. But that story was promptly stamped by York as “utter nonsense,” and despite the Daily Record’s assurance, there’s no real evidence to back up its sensational claim (Carrigan, 2025). It might as well be saying you’ve got front-row seats when, in fact, you’re way back in row Z.

Don’t get too relaxed thinking the 49ers have no future part to play. If Cavenagh’s group completes its takeover of Rangers FC and stabilizes the club, the 49ers will most likely have a major influence. So while Jed York is doing his level best not to let us connect the dots too much right now, he’s also not ruling out that “someday” the dots might indeed connect.

In the end, people enjoy a good rumor, and the world of sports ownership provides a lot of material for that. But as with any bit of gossip, just because it sounds plausible doesn’t mean it’s true. So, for now, let’s keep paying attention, and when football clubs change hands—especially in the “billionaire boy’s club” of football ownership—let’s be sure to keep track of who’s buying and who’s selling.