Newcastle United mulls selling naming rights to St James' Park
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Newcastle United is looking to sell naming rights for its St James’ Park stadium as it looks to raise money after failing to find a buyer for the club.
The club says in a statement that it is looking to “maximise its commercial revenues” and is “welcoming offers” for naming rights to the stadium, which has been the club’s home ground since 1892.
It adds it is also seeking a new shirt sponsor and kit deal to replace Northern Rock and Adidas respectively, as both deals expire at the end of the current season.
The news comes as the club’s owner and Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley announced that he had taken the club off the market after a consortium led by local businessman Barry Moat failed to meet the £80m asking price.
Ashley has been trying to offload the club since September 2008 when he first put it up for sale. He withdrew it soon after but put it back on the market following the club’s relegation from the Premier League in May.
The club also announced that Ashley will invest a further £20m into the club this week.
Readers' comments (4)
D Dunn | Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:54 am
I would sincerely hope that any company worth its salt wouldn't go near this. This is a name that cannot be touched by a sponsor because it is a betrayal of our heritage and any company that would get into bed with Mike Ashley would be tainted by association. When a club with a proud tradition such as NUFC's can't look back at recent trophies then looking back at our history and heritage is all we have left.
Companies...... Don't do it!
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Super Salop | Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:34 pm
Unfortunately a 'proud tradition' is no longer a value sought by the the business men who run our clubs these days - it's all about keeping up with the Joneses and if they can get money from a sponsor they will. At Shrewsbury we now play at the ProStar Stadium - just a reflection of what is driving our beautiful game I am afraid.
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Stephen Smyth | Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:38 pm
Firstly, I must say, I am not from Newcastle, nor do I support the club. However as the man responsible for sponsoring the FA Cup for AXA way back when, I do have a small understanding of the football market.
That said I do agree with D Dunn in as much as the heritage of NUFC is such, that if unsullied, would be a good match for a sponsor with the appropriate links to the club. But the association with the current owner, who not put a sponsor in a good light - which after all is what a sponsor would be looking for.
Northern Rock was a good association originally, but since the credit crunch both they and NUFC brands have suffered a serious downturn.
Potential sponsors need to have thier eyes wide open, before entering negotiations.
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Anonymous | Wed, 28 Oct 2009 1:01 pm
Part of me agrees with Mr. Dunn on this point but I guess the question is whether the club can survive without this sort of investment. If NUFC can't be sold and no money can be raised in other ways the club will simply cease to exist? I think it basically comes down to either changing your thinking or finding another club to support?
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