Everton could agree naming rights deal after ‘bombshell’ – Keith Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness believes it would be “fantastic” if Dan Friedkin can agree a £220million stadium naming rights deal after completing his takeover.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted the stadium naming rights should be high on the agenda for the American billionaire.
Everton confirmed on Thursday The Friedkin Group (TFG) has completed its takeover at Goodison Park after receiving approval from the Premier League.
The Merseysiders are set to move into their state-of-the-art stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock ahead of next season, but they are still yet to agree a naming rights deal.
The Sun reported on 14 December a deal for the naming rights of their new 52,888-seater facility could be worth up to £220million.
Everton could agree ‘fantastic’ deal after takeover confirmed
Wyness revealed that would be at the top end of how much he would expect Everton to earn from such a deal.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think the stadium naming rights has got to be very high on the agenda.
“As I’ve mentioned before, most new stadiums have a naming rights partner in place for the year before opening because that new project is in the headlines continually at that time and they get a big bang for their buck.
“There was a bombshell story recently saying that there’s a £220million deal that’s being done for naming rights for the stadium.
“I find that very hard to believe. If there is, that would be fantastic. That would mean it would be about £20-22million pounds a year for a 10-year deal.
“That would be at the very top end of what I’d expect Everton to get. If Friedkin delivers that, then that would be superb.
“The naming rights is something that should be done quickly. The club are going to get the keys to the stadium.
“There will be the handover of the stadium imminently, so it’s going to be their project to run.”
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