NAME THAT TOON! STADIUM RIGHTS ARE UP FOR GRABS
NEWCASTLE’S Saudi-led owners are considering plans to sell naming rights to St James’ Park — but would only do so with the consent of supporters.
This comes after Saudi Arabia’s finance minister, Mohammed Al-Jadaan, spoke of the club becoming a ‘serious competitor’ in the Premier League.
Sportsmail understands that a sponsorship deal involving the stadium has been discussed as one avenue of increasing revenue and, subsequently, spending power within the league’s financial fair play regulations.
Previous owner Mike Ashley renamed the ground the Sports Direct Arena in 2011, a move that was soon reversed after opposition from Newcastle fans.
Their views are unlikely to have softened in the past decade given the strong connection with their home for 129 years.
However, it is said that any such commercial arrangement this time would keep the name St James’ Park in some capacity as part of the rebrand.
Supporters would also be consulted and asked if they could live with stadium sponsorship, if it meant more money coming into the club. A Saudi Arabian airline has been suggested as one option for a commercial partnership.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are said to be relaxed about a temporary Premier League ban on sponsorship involving parties already connected to the ownership of a club, which was voted through by 18 of their 20 top-flight rivals at a meeting on Monday.
The club believe the amendment is unlawful and should not pose a threat to their long-term commercial opportunities.
And finance minister Al-Jadaan has addressed that opposition to their takeover.
‘I would say if people are worried about competition among clubs, and particularly now we have invested into one of them, that is a good sign that there is a serious competitor coming their way,’ he told American TV channel CNBC.
‘I am really confident that with the investments coming their way — the community, the stadium — we will see an enhanced club.’
Newcastle travel to Crystal Palace tomorrow in the first game since Steve Bruce was sacked earlier this week.
Graeme Jones will take caretaker charge and sources say a decision on the future of all coaching staff, including Stephen Clemence, Steve Agnew, Simon Smith and Ben Dawson, will be left to the next manager.
The search for a new boss continues but an appointment is not expected until next week at the earliest. Former Roma boss Paulo Fonseca has held talks and it is thought he has discussed a package worth £6million per year.