Saudis could sell St James’ Park naming rights to boost spending – but only on one condition – Report

Our new Saudi-led owners would consider selling the naming rights to St James’ Park as long as the fans approved of the move.

The Daily Mail claims that the new leadership at the club see stadium sponsorship as an easy way to generate revenue and overcome the hurdle of Financial Fair Play.

That said, Craig Hope’s piece does highlight that any deal and subsequent rebrand would see the name ‘St James’ Park’ remain in some capacity, with one Saudi Arabian airline suggested as a potential commercial partner.

On Monday, 18 other Premier League clubs voted to install a temporary three-week ban on us receiving advertising income through any source that is linked to our new owners.

Mohammed Al-Jadaan, Saudi Arabia’s finance minister, spoke yesterday about the plans to invest heavily in the club, with promises to pump cash into the community and youth academy.

It would be a hugely controversial move to rename the ground, which has been known as St James’ Park since 1880, apart from a brief spell under Mike Ashley, where it was renamed Sports Direct Arena.

What do you think: would fans be willing to accept a name change if they knew the money was going back into the club?

2 thoughts on “Saudis could sell St James’ Park naming rights to boost spending – but only on one condition – Report

  1. Why would they do that?

    They bought St James’ Park.
    With all it’s history and tradition.
    Can’t see them rocking the boat, not after Ashley’s debacle.

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  2. It wouldn’t get my vote.

    If they built a new stadium then name it what you want.

    But that stadium is SJP. It was when I went to my first ever game in 1986, it was before then and will be forever after as far as I’m concerned.

    Any true fan would not give up that history for even £100m – for what, for 1 or 2 players from that money.

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