Paraag Marathe is Chairman of Leeds United and has been a leader in the sports industry for over 20 years. In his role, he oversees the Club’s leadership team and their management of all sporting and commercial operations. Previously, he served as the Club’s Vice Chairman for over two years and a Board member for over five.
49ers Enterprises, where Marathe serves as President, first invested in Leeds in 2018 before increasing its stake in 2021. After five years of minority ownership, Marathe led the 2023 acquisition that made 49ers Enterprises the sole owner of the storied club. In his first two seasons as Chairman, the Club earned a record number of points in both seasons, the EFL Championship Trophy, and promotion back to the Premier League. Now, he is focused on positioning Leeds for success and a sustainable spot in the Premier League.
Marathe has also been instrumental in reenergizing Leeds United’s commercial business. In 2024, he led the effort to secure and announce a landmark front-of-shirt partnership and investment deal with Red Bull, the first English football deal in either category for the energy drink company and global sporting giant. The long-term agreement brings in new commercial revenues as well as additional capital investment.
Additionally, Marathe serves as Vice Chairman of Rangers Football Club. He was a driving force in the 2025 majority share acquisition that introduced new ownership and a new era for the historic Scottish club. Under his commercial and sporting leadership, the Club will look to chart a new competitive path.
Marathe is also deeply committed to uplifting the UK community through sport. Marathe serves on the board of the NFL UK Foundation, the charitable arm of the NFL within the UK, where he is spearheading a new collaborative initiative between the NFL UK Foundation, 49ers, and Leeds United that addresses barriers to sport, education, and opportunity for marginalized youth. The program has already impacted over 1,200 underserved youth in its first year.
Marathe’s sports career began with the San Francisco 49ers, where he currently serves as both President of 49ers Enterprises and Executive Vice President of Football Operations. From starting as an entry-level employee for the NFL franchise, Marathe has risen to his current long-respected role as the team’s chief contract negotiator, among other football duties. As 49ers team President from 2014-16 and Chief Operating Officer from 2010-13, Marathe took on the added responsibility of overseeing the development of Levi’s Stadium as a leading sports and entertainment venue and helped bring to life the vision of an unparalleled fan experience.
With sporting roles and passions across the globe, Marathe splits his time between Leeds, Glasgow, and the Bay Area.