Rangers takeover: St Johnstone chief reacts to major development
Rangers are set to be taken over by NFL giants San Francisco 49ers in the coming weeks.
The Americans have a plan to be in situ before the start of the transfer window as they will make big-picture decisions for next season.
Dave King and a number of other shareholders are understood to be open to selling either a part or the entirety of their stake in the club.
Adam Webb welcomes American investment into Scottish football
Adam Webb, the owner of St Johnstone, believes that the 49ers taking over Gers is a good thing for Scottish football.
While he does not want to see Rangers getting strengthened as they’re a domestic competitor, he is of the view that they will bring fresh ideas to the table.
In turn, he sees this bringing about a change in the Scottish game and drawing more eyeballs to the league.
| Shareholder | Stake |
| Dave King | 12.96% |
| Douglas Park | 11.54% |
| George Taylor | 10.22% |
| Stuart Gibson | 9.53% |
| Julian Wolhardt | 9.53% |
| John Halsted | 9.53% |
| John Bennett | 7.11% |
He told Sky Sports: “I believe more dynamism, more resources, more creativity in Scottish football is what we all want. It looks like a promising development for me.
“Most owners, from wherever they may be, are going to want to come in and do new things. They’re going to like to try new ideas. I believe Scottish football does need some new ideas and I am hoping they will come in and strengthen Scottish football.
“I don’t really want Rangers to be strengthened, obviously, but if they come in and do some more creative things, bring in eyeballs to Scotland, then it’s better for everybody.”
Rangers takeover could kick start a new era of Scottish football
The impending takeover of Rangers by the San Francisco 49ers’ investment arm, 49ers Enterprises, could significantly benefit Scottish football by injecting fresh ideas, resources and global attention into the sport.
As Webb noted, the American group’s arrival promises to bring dynamism and creativity, which the Scottish game desperately needs to evolve.
The 49ers’ expertise in sports management – honed through their NFL success – could introduce innovative strategies in areas like player recruitment, data analytics and fan engagement, potentially raising the overall standard of the Scottish Premiership.
Their global brand and marketing prowess might also draw more international eyeballs to the league, increasing its visibility and attracting sponsorships or broadcasting deals that benefit all clubs, not just Gers.
This heightened exposure could make Scottish football a more appealing destination for talent, fostering competition and growth.
While Webb acknowledges the competitive concern of Rangers’ strengthening, the broader impact of new ideas and investment could trickle down, inspiring other clubs to modernise and adapt.
If the 49ers’ big-picture decisions prioritise long-term development over short-term gains, Scottish football could see a structural uplift, enhancing its reputation and sustainability on a global stage.