When the takeover happened in late 2021, the Saudi-led vision for Newcastle United was clear: to grow and grow and eventually become the no.1 club in the country.

Here we are four years later, and the club’s rise has been astronomical: from surviving relegation in the 2021/22 season, currently embarking on a second Champions League campaign under Eddie Howe, and winning major silverware in the 2025 Carabao Cup final.

Whilst the on-pitch performances have been fantastic, we’re still languishing behind the ‘elite’ in terms of financial and commercial opportunities, which is massively hampering us where it hadn’t limited the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea in years gone by.

But according to a new report, we’re about to put a greater emphasis on boosting our commercial revenue opportunities and streams, which could be the catalyst for us cementing our status as one of England’s top sides and a dream partner for some of the world’s top brands.

Hopkinson heading up new commercial strategy

The i’s Mark Douglas is reporting that new CEO David Hopkinson, who was formally appointed earlier this month, could see his tenure begin with new global brands wanting to partner with the club.

In his article, Douglas writes that we are “close to announcing the renewal of a major sponsor as part of a new blueprint for turbo-charging commercial revenue.”

In the last few years, we’ve formed partnerships with the likes of Red Bull and Guinness, as well as re-adopting Adidas as our kit manufacturer, which has helped increase our commercial revenue to just over £80m: a fantastic figure compared to where it was even just a couple of seasons ago.

However, Manchester United, in spite of their recent on the pitch woes and lack of European football, recorded a revenue of £333.3m. So we’re still some way away from getting where we want to be.

And under Hopkinson’s new direction, more renowned brands could join our growing list of commercial partners. Douglas notes that thanks to our Carabao Cup success and Champions League qualification that “genuine global brands” are interested in us, something seen as unfathomable pre-takeover.

Still room for improvement with current partnerships

One of the big grievances many fans have had with the club’s commercial approach in recent years is not taking ‘easy’ wins when it comes to boosting PSR headroom.

In particular, the lack of a training ground sponsor and ‘training kit partner’ like Manchester City has been questioned by supporters.

But understandably, with commercial partnerships under intense scrutiny at the moment to make sure they’re ’fair market value’ and the PIF not wanting to challenge the Premier League on FFP and PSR matters, it makes sense why we’re holding fire at the moment before we know we can make the best long term financial deal possible with potential sponsors.

That isn’t to say these training sponsors won’t be happening any time soon however. Douglas adds that we’ve recently held talks with a number of firms over possible sponsorships.

There’s even the remote possibility that we could partner with Saudi-based companies and PIF affiliates, but all this will depend on what happens in the fallout of Manchester City’s ongoing legal battle with the Premier League and if there are any sweeping changes to the current APT system which could help or hinder us in the future.

Saudi vision strengthened by cash injection

Companies House information has confirmed that the PIF and the Reuben Brothers have injected another £111.5m into the club, which takes their total investment to over £700m since 2021.

The largest single investment into the club since the takeover, the £111.5m will go towards general infrastructure development and overall running costs of the club.

And with £5m of that money being reserved for the women’s team, it’s a clear sign that the owners remain committed to the club in more ways than just proving funds for the men’s senior squad’s transfer activity, and instead making Newcastle United a multi-faceted powerhouse institution.