Who owns Rangers FC? San Francisco 49ers takeover bid and shareholders they must convince
Rangers are at the centre of an astonishing takeover bid as one of the biggest NFL teams holds talks over a multi-million-pound investment.
Record Sport broke the world exclusive on Wednesday night that the San Francisco 49ers have been locked in high-level discussions with the cash-strapped Ibrox club since before the turn of the year. And now, it's understood negotiations have reached an advanced stage as the family behind the American football side who owns Leeds United turn their attentions to the Glasgow giants.
The key figure at the centre of the proposals is Elland Road chairman Paraag Marathe, who also runs the NFL side's investment arm, 49ers Enterprises. It's believed the executive vice-president of football operations in San Francisco is part of a consortium that includes at least one other high-net-worth American businessman and aims to transform the Light Blues, who have spent years in the shadow of dominant rivals Celtic.
READ MORE: Rangers 49ers takeover LIVE as timeline for completion 'revealed' and countdown begins
The group is looking to buy enough shares to become the biggest single shareholder, but the current make-up of the hierarchy means there are plenty of hurdles to overcome to conclude the potentially game-changing deal. Here, Record Sport looks at the current configuration of major shareholders at Rangers.
Who owns Rangers?
Dave King - 13%
Former chairman King is the single biggest shareholder, with nearly 13%. The South African-based businessman is thought to be keen to offload his stake for the right price and if it was in the best interests of the club. Gers have won just one Premiership title since King swept to power a decade ago.
Douglas Park - 12%
Park also retains a significant shareholding. The former director resigned as chairman in 2023 after three years at the helm. Under his leadership, Steven Gerrard stopped Celtic in their ten-in-a-row tracks.
Gio van Bronckhorst also guided the club to the Europa League Final and Scottish Cup success. Park's son, Graeme, is currently the Govan outfit's longest-serving board member.
George Taylor - 10%
A further 10% is owned Taylor. The Glasgow-born businessman was one-third of the influential Three Bears consortium alongside Park and director George Letham. He was part of the investment in March 2015 when King, Paul Murray and John Gilligan won control of the Ibrox boardroom following a lengthy battle over leadership of the club.
Stuart Gibson - 9.5%
Property funding expert Gibson isn't far behind Taylor. Based in the Far East, the lifelong Bluenose pumped £5million into the club in October 2020 - becoming the fourth largest shareholder.
John Bennett - 7%
Bennett succeeded Park in 2023 after three years as vice-chairman and eight years on the board. But he stepped down from the top job last year due to "health reasons". Bennett oversaw the appointment of Philippe Clement following Michael Beale's sacking.
Borita Investments Limited - 6.69%; Perron Investments LLC - 6%
Directors Julian Wolhardt and John Halsted have become peripheral figures but hold a combined stake of just over 12%. Danish businessman Wolhardt invested £1m along with Club 1872 to buy out Mike Ashley in June 2017. Meanwhile wealthy American Halsted - who specialises in equity investment - first ploughed cash into the club back in 2021.
Club 1872 - 5%
Fans group Club 1872 has around 5% of the shares. A proposed purchase of King's shares that would've seen Club 1872 become the largest single shareholder at Rangers fell through in 2023. Club 1872 had three years to complete the purchase but King terminated plans due to various factors.
