An exclusive in the Daily Star has revealed today that Mike Ashley wants a ‘clean break’ from NUFC should he sell to Amanda Staveley and PCP’s – meaning he is not looking to retain advertising rights at St James’ Park, which would see all Sports Direct branding across the stadium disappear IF a takeover can be completed.
Whilst this does not provide any real indication that a buy-out is moving closer, this is music to my ears and so many other NUFC fans, with the Sports Direct logo having taken over St James’ Park in recent years.
According to the Daily Star, Ashley is still looking for a way out despite rejecting the incentivised £300m from Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners – an offer which is believed to to have included several clauses, including compensation if we relegated this season or are charged following the looming HMRC tax investigation.
It may seem minor, but the disappearance of the plague of red and blue logos at St James’ Park would be yet another bonus in Ashley selling up.